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MILINE 
BELINDA 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


BELINDA 

BY 

A.  A.  MILNE 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,  25  West  45th  Su,  New  York 


MRS.  PARTRIDGE  PRESENTS 

Comedy  in  3  acts.  By  Mary  Kennedy  and  Euth  Haw- 
thorne. 6  males,  6  females.  Modern  costumes.  2  interiors. 
Plays  2%  hours. 

The  characters,  scenes  and  sitnationa  are  thoroughly  np-to- 
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■he  manages  everything — with  great  succese,  and  at  home  pre> 
•ides  over  the  destinies  of  a  growing  son  and  daughter.  Her 
atruggle  to  give  the  children  the  opportunities  she  herself  had 
inissed,  and  the  children's  ultimate  revolt  against  her  well-meant 
management — that  is  the  basis  of  the  plot.  The  son  who  is  cast 
for  the  part  of  artist  and  the  daughter  who  is  to  go  on  the  stags 
offer  numerous  opportunities  for  the  development  of  the  comio 
possibilities  in  the  theme. 

The  play  is  one  of  the  most  delightful,  yet  thought-provoking 
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Melodrama  in  3  acts.  By  Eleanor  Bobson  and  Harriet 
Ford.  8  males,  3  females.  2  interiors.  Modem  costumes. 
Plays  2^  hours. 

•'Philip  Vantine  has  bought  a  rare  copy  of  an  original  Boulci 
ieabinet  and  ordered  it  shipped  to  his  New  York  home  from  Paris. 
IWhen  it  arrives  it  is  found  to  be  the  original  itself,  the  pos« 
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Price,  75  Cents, 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,  25  West  45th  Street,  New  York  City 
Our  New  Descriptive  Catalogue  Sent  Free  on  Request 


BELINDA 


An    April    Folly     in    Three    Acts 


BY 

A.  A.  MILNE 


Copyright  1922  by  A.  A.  Milne 


All  Rights  Reserved 

CAUTION. — Professionals  and  Amateurs  are  hereby  warned  that  "BE- 
LINDA," being  fully  protected  under  the  copyright  laws  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  the  British  Empire,  and  all  countries  of  the  copy- 
right  union,  is  subject  to  a  royalty  and  anyone  presenting  the  play  with- 
out the  consent  of  the  owners  or  their  authorized  agents  will  be  liable  to 
the  penalties  by  law  provided.  Applications  for  amateur  acting  rights 
must  be  made  to  SAMUEL  FRENCH,  25  West  45th  Stwet, 
New  York,  N.  Y, 


New  York 
SAMUEL  FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

25  WEST  45th   STREET 


London 

SAMUEL  FRENCH,  Ltd. 

26  Southampton  Street, 

STRAND,  W.C.2. 


BELINDA 
ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 


Especial  notice  should  be  taken  that  the  possession  of 
this  book  without  a  valid  contract  for  production  first 
having  been  obtained  from  the  publisher,  confers  no  right 
or  license  to  professionals  or  amateurs  to  produce  the  play 
publicly  or  in  private  for  gain  or  charity. 

In  its  present  form  this  play  is  dedicated  to  the  read- 
ing public  only,  and  no  performance,  representation,  produc- 
tion, recitation,  or  public  reading  may  be  given  except  by 
special  arrangement  with  Samuel  French,  25  West  4Sth 
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This  play  may  be  presented  by  amateurs  upon  payment 
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able to  Samuel  French,  25  West  45th  Street,  New  York, 
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Whenever  the  play  is  produced  the  following  notice  must 
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play :  "Produced  by  special  arrangement  with  Samuel  French 
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Attention  is  called  to  the  penalty  provided  by  law  for 
any  infringement  of  the  author's  rights,  as  follows : 

"Section  4966: — Any  person  publicly  performing  or  rep- 
resenting any  dramatic  or  musical  composition  for  which 
copyright  has  been  obtained,  without  the  consent  of  the 
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less  than  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  first  and  fifty  dol- 
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shall  appear  to  be  just.  If  the  unlawful  performance  and 
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viction shall  be  imprisoned  for  a  period  not  exceeding  one 
year."— U.  S.  Revised  Statutes :  Title  60,  Chap.  3. 


(oOZS 


CHARACTERS 

Prodnced  by  Mr.  Dion  Boucicault  at  the  New  Theatre,  London,  onApifl  9, 
1918,  with  the  following  cast : — 

Bblinda  Tbemayks        .«.•••  Irene  Vanbrvgh, 

DiUA  (her  Daughter)     •••••«  laobel  Elsom. 

Habold  Baxteb    .••••••  Dion  Boucicault. 

Claudb  Devenish  •        •        •        •        •  Dennis  Neilson-Ttrry, 

Joss  Tremaynb     •••••••  Ben  Webster. 

Bbttt    ..••••  •         •  Anne  Walden. 

The  action  takes  place  In  Belinda's  country-house  in  Devonshire  at  the  end 
«f  April,  the  first  act  in  the  garden  and  the  second  and  last  acts  in  the  haU 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arciiive 

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BELINDA 
ACT  I 

It  U  a  lovely  April  afternoon — a  foretaste  of  summer — in  Belinda's 

garden. 
Betty,  a  middle-aged  servant,  is  fastening  a  hammock — its  first 
appearance  this  year — to  a  tree  down  l.  In  front  there  is  a  garden- 
table,  with  a  deck-chair  on  the  right  of  it  and  a  straight-hacked  one 
to  the  left.  There  are  hooks,  papers,  and  magazines  on  the  table. 
Belinda,  of  whom  we  shall  know  more  presently,  is  on  the  other  side 
of  the  open  windows  which  look  on  to  the  garden,  talking  to  Betty, 
%Bho  crosses  to  r.  of  hammock,  securing  it  to  tree  o. 

Belinda  {from  inside  the  house).  Are  you  sure  you're  tying  it  up 
tightly  enough,  Betty  ? 

Betty  {coming  to  front  of  hammock).  Yes,  ma'am ;  I  think  it's 
firm. 

Belinda.    Because  I'm  not  the  fairy  I  used  to  be. 

Betty  {testing  hammock).  Yes,  ma'am  ;  it's  quite  firm  this  end 
too. 

Belinda  {entering  from  portico  with  sunshade  open).  It's  not  the 
ends  I'm  frightened  of  ;  it's  the  middle  where  the  weight's  coming. 
{Comes  down  r.  and  admiring.)  It  looks  very  nice.  {She  crosses 
at  back  of  wicker  table,  hanging  her  hand-hag  on  hammock.  Closes 
and  places  her  sunshade  at  hack  of  tree  o.) 

Betty.    Yes,  ma'am. 

Belinda  {trying  the  middle  of  it  with  her  hand).  I  asked  them  at 
the  Stores  if  they  were  quite  sure  it  would  bear  me,  and  they  said  it 
would  take  anything  up  to — I  forget  how  many  tons.  I  know  I 
thought  it  was  rather  rude  of  them.  {Looking  at  it  anxiously,  and 
trying  to  get  in,  first  with  her  right  leg  and  then  her  left.)  How  does 
one  get  in  1     So  trying  to  be  a  sailor  I 

Betty.  I  think  you  sit  in  it,  ma'am,  and  then  {explaining  with  her 
hands)  throw  your  legs  over. 

Belinda.  I  see.  {She  sits  gingerly  in  the  hammock,  and  then, 
with  a  sudden  flutter  of  white,  does  what  Betty  suggests.)  Yes. 
{Regretfully.)  I'm  afraid  that  was  rather  wasted  on  you,  Bettj* 
We  must  have  some  spectators  next  time. 

7 


BELINDA.  {Aos  L 


Betty.    Yes,  ma'am 
Beunda.    Cushions. 


(Betty  moves  to  and  takes  a  cushion  from  dechcTinir.  Belinda 
assists  her  to  place  it  at  hack  of  her  head.  Betty  tJien  goes  to  bach 
of  hammock  and  arranges  Belinda's  dress.) 

There !    Now  then,  Betty,  about  callers. 

Betty.    Yes,  ma'am. 

Belinda.  If  Mr.  Baxter  calls — he  is  the  rather  prim  gentle- 
man  

Betty.  Yes,  ma'am ;  the  one  who's  been  here  several  times 
before.     {Moves  to  helow  and  L.  of  hammock.) 

Belinda  {giving  Betty  a  quick  look).  Yes.  Well,  if  he  calls, 
you'll  say,  "  Not  at  home.'* 

Betty.    Yes,  ma'am. 

Belinda.  He  will  say  {imitating  Mr.  Baxter),  "  Oh — er — oh — 
er — really."  Then  you'll  smile  very  sweetly  and  say,  "  I  beg  your 
pardon,  was  it  Mr.  Baxter  ?  "  And  he'll  say,  "  Yes  !  "  and  you'll 
say,  "  Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir ;    this  way,  please." 

Betty.    Yes,  ma'am. 

Belinda.  That's  right,  Betty.  Well  now,  if  Mr.  Devenish  calls- 
he  is  the  rather  poetical  gentleman 

Betty     Yes,  ma'am ;   the  one  who's  always  coming  here. 

Belinda  {vdth  a  pleased  smile).  Yes.  Well,  if  he  calls  you'll 
say,  "  Not  at  home." 

Betty.    Yes,  ma'am. 

Belinda.  He'll  immediately  {extending  her  arms  descriptively) 
throw  down  his  bunch  of  flowers  and  dive  despairingly  into  the  moat. 
You'll  stop  him,  just  as  he  is  going  in,  and  say,  "  I  beg  your  pardon, 
sir,  was  it  Mr.  Devenish  ?  "  And  he  will  say,  "  Yes  !  "  and  you  will 
eay,  "  Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir ;   this  way,  please." 

Betty.    Yes,  ma'am.    And  suppose  they  both  call  together  ? 

Belinda  {non-plussed  for  a  moment).  We  won't  suppose  anything 
■o  exciting,  Betty. 

Betty.    No,  ma'am.    And  suppose  any  other  gentleman  calls  f 

Belinda  {with  a  sigh).    There  aren't  any  other  gentlemen. 

Betty.  It  might  be  a  clergyman,  come  to  ask  for  a  subscription 
like. 

Belinda.  If  it's  a  clergyman,  Betty,  I  shall — I  shall  want  yoiur 
assistance  out  of  the  hammock  first. 

Betty.    Yes,  ma'am. 

Belinda.    That's  all. 

(Betty  crosses  helow  table  and  chairs  to  porch.) 

To  anybody  else  I'm  not  at  home.  {Trying  to  secure  book  on  table 
and  nearly  falling  out  of  the  hammock.)  Oh,  just  give  me  that  little 
green  book.  {Pointing  to  hooks  on  the  table.)  The  one  at  the  bottom 
there — that's  the  one.    (Betty  gives  it  to  her.)    Thank  you.    {Read- 


Act  I.]  BELINDA.  f 

ing  the  title.)  **  The  Lute  of  Love,"  by  Claude  Dcvcnish.  {To 
herself  as  she  turns  the  pages.)  It  doesn't  seem  much  for  half-a-crown 
when  you  think  of  the  Daily  Telegraph.  .  .  .  Lute  .  .  .  Lute.  .  .  . 
I  should  have  quite  a  pretty  mouth  if  I  kept  on  saying  that.  ( With 
a  great  deal  of  expression.)    Lute  I     (She  pats  her  mouth  back.) 

Betty.     Is  that  all,  ma'am  ? 

Belinda.  That's  all.  (Betty  prepares  to  go.)  Oh,  what  am  I 
thinking  of  !  {Waving  to  the  table.)  I  want  that  review  ;  I  think 
it's  the  blue  one.  {As  Betty  begins  to  look.)  It  has  an  article  by 
Mr.  Baxter  on  the  "  Rise  of  Lunarv  in  the  Eastern  Counties  " — 

(Betty  gives  her  "The  Ninette.,, oh  Century"  Magazine.) 

—yes,  that's  the  one.  I'd  better  have  that  too ;  I'm  just  at  the 
most  exciting  place.    You  shall  have  it  after  me,  Betty. 

Betty.    Is  that  all,  ma'am  ? 

Belinda.    Yes,  that  really  is  all. 

(Betty  goes  into  the  house.) 

Belinda  {reading  to  herself  very  pronouncedly).    **  It  is  a  matter 

of  grave  concern  to  all  serious  students  of  social  problems " 

{Putting  the  review  dovm  in  hammock  and  shaking  her  head  gently.) 
But  not  in  April.  {Lazily  opening  the  book  and  reading.)  "  Tell 
me  where  is  love  " — well,  that's  the  question,  isn't  it  ?  {She  lies 
back  in  tJie  hammock  lazily  and  the  book  of  poems  falls  from  her  to 
the  ground.  Delia  comes  into  the  garden,  from  Paris.  She  is  decidedly 
o  modern  girl,  pretty  and  self-possessed.  Her  hair  is  half-way  up  ; 
waiting  for  her  birthday,  perhaps.  She  sees  her  mother  suddenly,  stops, 
and  then  goes  on  tiptoe  to  the  head  of  the  hammock.  She  smiles  and 
kisses  her  mother  on  the  forehead.  Belinda,  looking  supremely 
unconscious,  goes  on  sleeping.  Delia  kisses  her  lightly  again.  Be- 
linda wakes  up  with  an  extraordinarily  natural  start,  and  is  just 
about  to  say,  "  Oh,  Mr.  Devenish — you  mustn't !  " — when  she  see$ 
Delia.)     Delia  !     {They  kiss  each  other  frantically.) 

Delia.    Well,  mummy,  aren't  you  glad  to  see  me  ? 

Belinda.     My  darling  child  I 

Delia.     Say  you're  glad. 

Belinda  {sitting  up).    My  darling,  I'm  absolutely (Delia 

crosses  round  to  l.  of  hammock.)  Hold  the  hammock  while  I  get  out, 
dear  ;  we  don't  want  an  accident.  (Delia  holds  the  l.  end  of  it  and 
Belinda  struggles  out,  leaving  the  magazine  and  her  handkerchief  in 
the  hammock.)  They're  all  right  when  you're  there,  and  they'll  bear 
two  tons,  but  they're  horrid  getting  in  and  out  of.  {Kissing  her 
again.)    Darling,  it  really  is  you  ? 

Delia.  Oh,  it  is  jolly  seeing  you  again.  I  believe  you  were 
asleep. 

Belinda  {with  dignity).  Certainly  not,  child.  I  was  reading 
The  Nineteenth  Century — {with  an  air) — and  after.  {Earne.'stUj  ) 
Darling,  wasn't  it  next  Thursday  you  were  coming  back  ? 


10  BELINDA.  [Act  I. 

Delia.    No,  this  Thursday,  silly. 

Belinda  {penitently).  Oh,  my  darling,  and  I  was  going  over  to 
Paris  to  bring  you  home. 

Delia.    I  half  expected  you. 

Belinda.  So  confusing  their  both  being  called  Thursday.  And 
you  were  leaving  school  for  the  very  last  time.  If  you  don't  forgive 
me,  Delia,  I  shall  cry. 

Delia  {kissing  her  and  stroking  her  hand  fondly).    Silly  mother  1 

(Belinda  sits  down  in  the  deck-chair  and  Delia  sits 
on  the  table.) 

Belinda.  Isn't  it  a  lovely  day  for  April,  darling  ?  I've  wanted 
to  say  that  to  somebody  all  day,  and  you're  the  first  person  who's 
given  me  the  chance.  Oh,  I  said  it  to  Betty,  but  she  only  said, 
*'  Yes,  ma'am." 

Delia.    Poor  mother ! 

Belinda  {jumping  up  suddenly,  crossing  to  l.  of  and  Jcissing  Delia 
again).  I  simply  must  have  another  one.  And  to  think  that  you're 
never  going  back  to  school  any  more,  {Looking  at  Jier  fondly,  and 
backing  to  l.)    Darling,  you  are  looking  pretty. 

Delia.    Am  I  ? 

Belinda.  Lovely.  {She  kisses  her  once  more,  then  she  takes  the 
cushion  from  the  hammock,  moves  at  hack  of  talle  and  places  it  on  the 
head  of  the  deck-chair.)  And  now  you're  going  to  stay  with  me  for 
just  as  long  as  you  want  a  mother.  {Anxiously  moving  to  r.  of  deck' 
chair.)  Darling,  you  didn't  mind  being  sent  away  to  school,  did 
you  1     It  is  the  usual  thing,  you  know. 

Delia.    Silly  mother  !   of  course  it  is. 

Belinda  {relieved,  and  sitting  on  deck-chair).  I'm  so  glad  you 
think  so  too. 

Delia.    Have  you  been  very  lonely  without  me  1 

Belinda  {with  a  sly  look  at  Delia).     Very. 

Delia  {turning  to  Belinda  and  holding  up  a  finger).  The  truth, 
mummy ! 

Belinda.  I've  missed  you  horribly,  Delia.  {Primly.)  The 
absence  of  female  companionship  of  the  requisite 

Delia.    Are  you  really  all  alone  ? 

Belinda  {smiling  mysteriously  and  coyly).  Well,  not  always,  of 
course. 

Delia  {excitedly,  as  she  slips  off  the  table,  and  hacking  toL.  a  little). 
Mummy,  I  believe  you're  being  bad  again. 

Belinda.  Really,  darling,  you  forget  that  I'm  old  enough  to  bt 
—in  fact,  am — ^your  mother. 

Delia  {nodding  her  head).    You  are  being  bad. 

Belinda  {rising  toith  dignity  and  drawing  herself  up  to  her  fuU 
height,  moving  l.).    My  child,  that  is  not  the  way  to  Oh,  I  say, 

what  a  lot  taller  I  am  than  yoa  I  {Turning  her  hack  to  Deua.  and 
tomparing  sizes.) 


Act  I.]  BELINDA.  11 

Delia.     And  prettier. 

Belinda  {playfully  rubbing  noses  with  Delia).  Oh,  do  you  think 
BO  ?     {Firmly,  but  pleased.)     Don't  be  silly,  child. 

Delia  {holding  up  a  finger).  Now  tell  me  all  that's  been  happen- 
ing here  at  once. 

Belinda  {with  a  sigh).  And  I  was  just  going  to  ask  you  how  you 
were  getting  on  with  your  French.     {Sits  in  deck-chair.) 

Delia.  Bother  French  !  You've  been  having  a  much  more 
interesting  time  than  I  have,  so  you've  got  to  tell. 

Belinda  {with  a  happy  sigh).  0-oh  !  {She  sinks  back  into  her 
chair.) 

Delia  {taking  off  her  coat).    Is  it  like  the  Count  at  Scarborough  ? 

Belinda  {surprised  and  pained).  My  darling,  what  do  you 
mean  ? 

Delia.  Don't  you  remember  the  Count  who  kept  proposing  to 
you  at  Scarborough  ?     I  do.     {Places  coat  on  hammock.) 

Belinda  {reproachfully).  Dear  one,  you  were  the  merest  child, 
paddling  about  on  the  beach  and  digging  castles. 

Delia  {smiling  to  herself).    I  was  old  enough  to  notice  the  Count. 

Belinda  {sadly).  And  I'd  bought  her  a  perfectly  new  spade  I 
How  one  deceives  oneself ! 

Delia  {at  table  and  leaning  across,  with  hands  on  table).  And  then 
there  was  the  M.P.  who  proposed  at  Windermere. 

Belinda.  Yes,  dear,  but  it  wasn't  seconded — I  mean  he  never 
got  very  far  with  it. 

Delia.    And  the  artist  in  Wales. 

Belinda.  Darling  child,  what  a  memory  you  have.  No  wonder 
your  teachers  are  pleased  with  you. 

Delia  {settling  herself  comfortably  in  deck-chair  l.  of  Belinda  and 
lying  in  her  arms).    Now  tell  me  all  about  this  one. 

Belinda  {meekly).    Which  one  ? 

Delia  {excitedly).    Oh,  are  there  lots  f 

Belinda  {severely).    Only  two. 

Delia.    Two  !    You  abandoned  woman  ! 

Belinda.  It's  something  in  the  air,  darling.  I've  never  been  in 
Devonshire  in  April  before. 

Delia.    Is  it  really  serious  this  time  ? 

Belinda  {pained).  I  wish  you  wouldn't  say  this  time,  Delia. 
It  sounds  so  unromantic.  If  you'd  only  put  it  into  French — cette 
fois — it  sounds  so  much  better.  Cette  fois.  {Parentally.)  When 
one's  daughter  has  just  returned  from  an  expensive  schooling  in 
Paris,  one  likes  to  feel 

Delia.  What  I  meant,  dear,  was,  am  I  to  have  a  stepfather  at 
last? 

Belinda.    Now  you're  being  too  French,  darling. 

Delia.    Why,  do  you  still  think  father  may  be  alive  ? 

Belinda.  Why  not  ?  It's  only  eighteen  years  since  he  left  ub, 
and  he  was  quite  a  young  man  then. 


It  BELINDA.  [Act  I. 

Delia.  Yes,  but  surely,  surely  you'd  have  heard  from  him  in 
all  those  years,  if  he'd  been  alive  ? 

Belinda.     Well,  he  hasn't  heard  from  me,  and  I'm  still  alive. 

Delia  (looking  earnestly  at  her  mother,  rises  and  moves  l.c).  I  shaU 
never  understand  it. 

Belinda.     Understand  what  ? 

Delia.  Were  you  as  heavenly  when  you  were  young  as  you  are 
now  ? 

Belinda  {rapturously).    Oh,  I  was  sweet  1 

Delia.    And  yet  he  left  you  after  only  six  months. 

Belinda  {rather  crossly,  sitting  up).  I  wish  you  wouldn't  keep  on 
Baying  he  left  me.     I  left  him  too. 

Delia  {running  to  and  kneeling  in  front  of  Belinda  and  looking 
anxiously  into  her  face).    Why  ? 

Belinda  {smiling  to  herself).  Well,  you  see,  he  was  quite  certain 
he  knew  how  to  manage  women,  and  I  was  quite  certain  I  knew  how 
to  manage  men.  {Thoughtfully.)  If  only  one  of  us  had  been 
certain,  it  would  have  been  all  right. 

Delia  {seriously).  What  really  happened,  mummy  ?  I'm  grown 
np  now,  so  I  think  you  ought  to  tell  me. 

Belinda  {thoughtfully).  That  was  about  all,  you  know  .  •  • 
except  for  his  beard. 

Delia.    Had  he  a  beard  ?     {Laughing.)    How  funny  ! 

Belinda  {roaring  with  laughter,  in  which  Delia  joins).  Yes,  dear, 
it  was  ;  but  he  never  would  see  it.     He  took  it  quite  seriously. 

Delia.  And  did  you  say  dramatically,  "  If  you  really  loved  me, 
you'd  take  it  off  "  ? 

Belinda  {apologetically).    I'm  afraid  I  did,  darling. 

Delia.    And  what  did  he  say  ? 

Belinda.  He  said — very  rudely — that,  if  I  loved  him,  I'd  do  my 
hair  in  a  different  way. 

Delia  {sinks  down  on  her  haunches,  facing  the  audience).  How 
ridiculous  ! 

Belinda  {touching  her  hair).  Of  course,  I  didn't  do  it  like  thia 
then.    I  suppose  we  never  ought  to  have  married,  really. 

Delia.    Why  did  you  ? 

Belinda.    Mother  rather  wanted  it.     {Soleinnly.)    Delia,  never 

get  married  because  your  mother Oh,  I  forgot ;    Vm  your 

mother. 

Delia.  And  I  don't  want  a  better  one.  .  •  •  {They  embrace.) 
And  so  you  left  each  other  ? 

Belinda.    Yes. 

Della..  But,  darling,  didn't  you  tell  him  there  was  going  to  ba 
a  Mel 

Belinda.    Oh  no  I 

Delia.    I  wonder  why  not  ? 

Belinda.    Well,  you  see,  if  I  had,  he  might  have  wanted  to  stay. 

Dkua.    But 


AoT  1.1  BELINDA.  18 

Belinda  {hurt).  If  he  didn't  want  to  stay  for  me,  I  didn't  want 
him  to  stay  for  you.  {Penitently.)  Forgive  me,  darling,  but  I 
didn't  know  you  very  well  then.  We've  been  very  happy  together, 
haven't  we  ? 

Delia  {going  to  the  hammock,  sitting  in  it  and  dangling  her  legs).  I 
should  think  we  have. 

Belinda  {leaning  back  in  chair).  I  don't  want  to  deny  you 
anything,  and,  of  course,  if  you'd  like  a  stepfather  {looking  doum 
modestly)  or  two 

Delia.    Oh,  you  have  been  enjoying  yourself. 

Belinda.  Only  you  see  how  awkward  it  would  be  if  Jack  turned 
up  in  the  middle  of  the  wedding,  like — like  Eugene  Aram. 

Delia.    Enoch  Arden,  darling. 

Belinda.  It's  very  confusing  their  having  the  same  initials. 
Perhaps  I'd  better  call  them  both  E.  A.  in  future  and  then  I  shall  be 
safe.  Well,  anyhow  it  would  be  awkward,  darling,  wouldn't  it  ? 
Not  that  I  should  know  him  from  Adam  after  all  these  years — except 
for  a  mole  on  his  left  arm. 

Delia.    Perhaps  Adam  had  a  mole. 

Belinda.    No,  darling ;  you're  thinking  of  Noah.    He  had  two. 

Delia  {thoughtfully).  I  wonder  what  would  happen  if  you  met 
Bomebody  whom  you  really  did  fall  in  love  with  ? 

Belinda  {reproachfully).  Now  you're  being  serious,  and  it's 
April. 

Delia.    Aren't  these  two — ^the  present  two — serious  ? 

Belinda.  Oh  no  !  They  think  they  are,  but  they  aren't  a  bit, 
really.  Besides,  I'm  doing  them  such  a  lot  of  good.  I'm  sure 
they'd  hate  to  marry  me,  but  they  love  to  think  they're  in  love 
with  me,  and — /  love  it,  and — and  they  love  it,  and — and  we  aU 
love  it. 

Delia  {rising  and  crossing  to  Belinda).  You  really  are  the 
biggest,  darlingest  baby  who  ever  lived.  {Kisses  her.)  Do  say  I 
shan't  spoil  your  lovely  times. 

Belinda  {surprised).  Spoil  them  ?  Why,  youll  make  them 
more  lovely  than  ever. 

Delia  {turning  away  and  sitting  on  table).  Well,  but  do  they 
know  you  have  a  grown-up  daughter  ? 

Belinda  {suddenly  realizing  and  sitting  up).    Oh  1 

Delia.  It  doesn't  really  matter,  because  you  don't  look  a  day 
more  than  thirty. 

Belinda  {absently).  No.  (Hurriedly.)  I  mean,  how  sweet  of 
you — only 

Delia.    What  ? 

Belinda  {playing  imth  Tier  rings).  Well,  one  of  them,  Mr.  Baxter — 
Harold— (sAe  looks  quickly  up  at  Delia  and  doum  again  in  pretty 
affectation,  but  she  is  really  laughing  at  herself  all  the  time)  he  writes 
itatistical  articles  for  the  Keviews — ^percentages  and  all  those  things. 
He's  just  the  sort  of  mau,  if  he  knew  that  I  was  your  mother,  to 


M  BELINDA.  [Act  I. 

work  it  out  that  I  was  more  than  thirty.  The  other  one,  Mr.  Deven- 
kh — Claude — {she  looks  up  and  down  as  before)  he's  rather,  rather 
poetical.    He  thinks  I  came  straight  from  heaven — last  week. 

Delia  {laughing  and  jumping  up  and  crossing  below  deck-chair  to 
B.  towards  house).    I  think  I'd  better  go  straight  back  to  Paris. 

Beunda  {jumping  up  and  catching  her  firmly  by  the  left  arm). 
You  will  do  nothing  of  the  sort.  {Pulling  Delia  back  to  centre.) 
You  will  take  off  that  hat — {she  lets  go  of  the  arm  and  begins  to  take 
out  the  pin)  which  is  a  perfect  duck,  and  I  don't  know  why  I  didn't 
say  so  before — {sJie  puts  the  hat  down  on  the  table)  and  let  me  take  a 
good  look  at  you  {she  does  so),  and  kiss  you  {she  does  so,  then  crosses 
Delia  below  her  and  takes  her  towards  the  hmise),  and  then  we'll  go 
to  your  room  and  unpack  and  have  a  lovely  talk  about  clothes.  And 
then  we'll  have  tea. 

(Betty  comes  in  and  stands  up  at  back.) 

And  now  here's  Betty  coming  in  to  upset  all  our  delightfiJ  plans, 
just  when  we'vt  made  them.  (Belinda  and  Delia  are  now  on 
Betty's  r.) 

Delia  {leaving  Belinda  and  shaking  hands  with  Betty).  How 
are  you,  Betty  ?     I've  left  school. 

Betty.  Very  nicely,  thank  you,  miss.  {Backing  to  l.  and 
admiring.)    You've  grown. 

Belinda  {moving  to  and  patting  the  top  of  Delia's  head).  I'm 
much  taller  than  she  is.  .  .  .  {Crossing  to  Betty  in  front  q/"  Delia.) 
Well,  Betty,  what  is  it  ? 

Betty.  The  two  gentlemen,  Mr.  Baxter  and  Mr.  Devenish,  have 
both  called  together,  ma'am. 

Belinda  {excited).    Oh  !  How — how  very  simultaneous  of  them  I 

Delia  {eagerly,  going  towards  house).    Oh,  do  let  me  see  them  ! 

Belinda  {stopping  her).  Darling,  you'll  see  plenty  of  them  before 
you've  finished.  {To  Betty  in  an  exaggerated  whisper.)  What 
have  you  done  with  them  ? 

Betty.  They're  waiting  in  the  hall,  ma'am,  while  I  said  I  would 
see  if  you  were  at  home. 

Belinda.  All  right,  Betty.  Qive  me  two  minutes  and  then 
show  them  out  here. 

Betty.    Yes,  ma'am. 

(Betty  crosses  below  Belinda  and  Delia  and  exits  into  the  house.) 

Belinda  {taking  Delia  doum  b.  a  step).  They  can't  do  much 
harm  to  each  other  in  two  minutes. 

Delia  {taking  her  hat  from  table).  Well,  I'll  go  and  unpack.  {8h« 
goes  back  to  Belinda.)  You  really  won't  mind  my  coming  down 
afterwards  ? 

Belinda.    Of  course  not.    {A  little  awkwardly,  taking  Delia's 

arm  and  moving  down  r.)    Darling  one,  I  wonder  if  you'd  mind — just 

.At  first— being  introduced  as  my  niece.    {By  now  at  foot  of  decb- 


Act  I.]  BELINDA.  15 

chair.)  You  see,  I  expect  they're  in  a  bad  temper  already  {now  c), 
having  come  here  together,  and  we  don't  want  to  spoil  their  day 
entirely. 

Delia  {smiling,  on  Belinda's  l.).    I'll  be  your  mother  if  you  like. 

Belinda.  Oh  no,  that  wouldn't  do,  because  then  Mr.  Baxter 
would  feel  that  he  ought  to  ask  your  permission  before  paying  his 
attentions  to  me.  He's  just  that  sort  of  man.  A  niece  is  so  safe — 
however  good  you  are  at  statistics,  you  can't  really  prove  anything. 

Delia.    All  right,  mummy. 

Belinda  {enjoying  herself).  You'd  like  to  be  called  by  a  different 
name,  wouldn't  you  ?  There's  something  so  thrilling  about  taking 
A  false  name.  Such  a  lot  of  adventures  begin  like  that.  How 
would  you  like  to  be  Miss  Eobinson,  darling  ?  It's  a  nice  easy  one 
to  remember.  {Persuasively.)  And  you  shaU  put  your  hair  up 
BO  as  to  feel  more  disguised.    What  fun  we're  going  to  have ! 

Delia.  You  baby  !  All  right,  then,  I'm  Miss  Robinson,  your 
favourite  niece.  {She  takes  her  jacket  from  the  hammock  and  moves 
towards  the  house.) 

Belinda.  How  sweet  of  you !  No,  no,  not  that  way — you'll 
meet  them.  {Following  quickly  up  between  tree  and  table  to  Delia, 
who  has  now  reached  the  house.)  Oh,  I'm  coming  with  you  to  do 
your  hair.  {Moving  up  c,  arm  in  arm  with  Delia.)  You  don't 
think  you're  going  to  be  allowed  to  do  it  yourself,  when  so  much 
depends  on  it,  and  husbands  leave  you  because  of  it,  and 

(Belinda,  seeing  Betty  entering  from  house,  hurries  Delia  up  R., 
and  they  hob  down  behind  the  yew  hedge  r.  Betty  comes  from  the 
house  into  the  garden,  crossing  to  centre  and  up  stage  looking  for 
Belinda,  followed  by  Mr.  Baxter  and  Mr.  Dbvenish.  Baxter 
gives  an  angry  look  round  at  Devenish  as  he  enters.  Mr.  Baxter 
is  forty-five,  prim  and  erect,  with  close-trimmed  moustache  and  sid&- 
ichiskers.  His  clothes  are  dark  and  he  wears  a  bowler-hat.  Mr. 
Devenish  is  a  long-haired,  good-looking  boy  in  a  neglige  costume  / 
perhaps  twenty-two  years  old,  and  very  scornful  of  the  world.  Baxter 
crosses  to  l.  beloiv  Betty,  and  turns  to  her  toith  a  sharp  inquiring 
glance.    Devenish  moves  down  r.,  languidly  admiring  the  garden,.) 

Betty  {looking  about  her  surprised).  The  mistress  was  here  a 
moment  ago.  {The  two  heads  pop  up  from  behind  the  hedge  and  then 
down  again  immediately.  Belinda  and  Delia  exeunt  B.).  I  expect 
she'll  be  back  directly,  if  you'll  just  wait. 

{She  goes  back  into  the  house.) 

(Baxter,  crossing  to  R.,  meets  Devenish  who  has  moved  up  R.  Bax- 
ter is  annoyed  and  with  an  impatient  gesture  comes  down  between 
the  tree  and  the  table  to  chair  L.  and  sits.  Devenish  throws  his  felt 
kat  on  to  the  table  and  walks  to  the  back  of  the  hammock.  He  sees 
the  review  in  the  hammock  and  picks  it  up.) 


le  BELINDA.  [Act  T. 

Devenisr.    Good  heavens,   Bazter,  she's  been  reading  your 

article ! 

Baxter.    I  dare  say  she's  not  the  only  one. 

Devenish.  That's  only  guesswork  {going  to  hack  of  table) ;  you 
don't  know  of  anyone  else. 

Baxter  {with  contempt).  How  many  people,  may  I  ask,  have 
bought  your  poems  1 

Devenish  {hftily).    I  don't  write  for  the  mob. 

Baxter.    I  think  I  may  say  that  of  my  own  work. 

Devenish.  Baxter,  I  don't  want  to  disappoint  you,  but  I  have 
reluctantly  come  to  the  conclusion  that  you  are  one  of  the  mob. 
{Throws  magazine  down  on  table,  annoyed.)  Dash  it  I  what  are  you 
doing  in  the  country  at  all  in  a  bowler-hat  ? 

Baxter.  If  I  wanted  to  be  personal,  I  could  say,  "  Why  don't 
you  get  your  hair  cut  1  **  Only  that  form  of  schoolboy  humour 
doesn't  appeal  to  me. 

Devenish.  This  is  not  a  personal  matter ;  I  am  protesting  on 
behalf  of  nature.  {Leaning  against  tree.)  What  do  the  birds  and 
the  flowers  and  the  beautiful  trees  think  of  your  hat  ? 

Baxter.  If  one  began  to  ask  oneself  what  the  birds  thought 
of  things {He  pauses.) 

Devenish.  Well,  and  why  shouldn't  one  ask  oneself  ?  It  la 
better  than  asking  oneself  what  the  Stock  Exchange  thinks  of 
things. 

Baxter.  Well  {looking  up  at  Devenish's  extravagant  hair),  it's 
the  nesting  season.  Your  hair  1  {Suddenly.)  Ha  !  ha  1  ha  1  ha  I 
ha  !    ha  I 

Devenish  {hastily  smoothing  it  down).  Really,  Baxter,  you're 
vulgar.  {He  turns  away  and  resumes  his  promenading,  going  doum 
B.  and  then  round  deck-chair  to  front  of  hammock.  Suddenly  he  sees 
his  book  on  the  grass  beneath  the  hammock  and  makes  a  dash  for  it.) 
Ha,  my  book  1     {Gloating  over  it.)    Baxter,  she  reads  my  book. 

Baxter.    I  suppose  you  gave  her  a  copy. 

Devenish  {esndtingly).  Yes,  I  gave  her  a  copy.  My  next  book 
will  be  hers  and  hers  alone. 

Baxter.  Then  let  me  say  that,  in  my  opinion,  you  took  a  very 
great  liberty. 

Devenish.  Liberty  1  And  this  from  a  man  who  is  continually 
forcing  his  unwelcome  statistics  upon  her. 

Baxter.  At  any  rate,  I  flatter  myself  that  there  is  no  suggestion 
of  impropriety  in  anything  that  /  write. 

Devenish.    I'm  not  so  sure  about  that,  Baxter. 

Baxter.    What  do  you  mean,  sir  1 

Devenish.  Did  you  read  The  Times  this  month  on  the  new 
reviews  'i 

Baiter.    Well  f 

Devenish.  Oh,  nothing.  It  just  said,  *'  Mr.  Baxter's  statistioi 
arc  extremely  suggestive." 


Act  I.]  BELINDA.  17 

(Baxter  makes  a  gesture  of  annoyance.) 

I  haven't  read  them,  so  of  course  I  don't  know  what  youVe  been 
up  to. 

Baxter  {rising,  turning  away  in  disgust  and  crossing  up  l).    Pah  I 

Devenish.  Poor  old  Baxter !  {PiUs  book  of  poems  doum  on 
taf)le  and  crosses  helow  chair  and  gathers  a  daffodil  from  a  large  vase 
doum  R.  and  saying  "  Poor  old  Baxter !  "  ad  lib.  Baxter  moves 
round  back  of  hammock  and  to  r.,  collides  with  Devenish  and  much 
annoyed  goes  down  between  table  and  tree  towards  chair  doum  L.) 
Baxter {moving  to  and  leaning  against  tree  r.) 

Baxter  {turning  to  Devenish  crossly).  I  wish  you  wouldn't  keep 
calling  me  "  Baxter." 

Devenish.    Harold. 

(Baxter  displays  annoyance,  and  continues  Ms  walk  to  l.) 

Baxter.  It  is  only  by  accident — an  accident  which  we  both 
deplore — that  we  have  met  at  all,  and  in  any  case  I  am  a  considerably 
older  man  than  yourself.     {Sits  L.) 

Devenish.  Mr.  Baxter — father — {gesture  of  annoyance  from 
Baxter) — I  have  a  proposal  to  make.  We  will  leave  it  to  this 
beautiful  flower  to  decide  which  of  us  the  lady  loves. 

Baxter  {turning  round).    Eh  ? 

Devenish  {pulling  off  the  petals).  She  loves  me,  she  loves  Mr. 
Baxter,  she  loves  me,  she  loves  Mr.  Baxter — (Belinda  appears  in 
the  porch) — Heaven  help  her  ! — she  loves  me 

Belinda  {coming  down  r.).    What  are  you  doing,  Mr.  Devenish  t 

Devenish  {throwing  away  the  flower  and  bowing  very  low).  VLj 
lady. 

(Baxter  rises  quickly.) 

Baxter  {removing  his  howl&r-hat  stiffly).    Qood  afternoon,  ISm, 

Tremayne. 

{She  gives  her  left  hand  to  Devenish,  who  kisses  it,  and  her  right  to 
Baxter,  who  shakes  it.) 

Belinda.    How  nice  of  you  both  to  come! 

Baxter.    Mr.  Devenish  and  I  are  inseparable — apparently, 

Belinda.  You  haven't  told  me  what  you  were  doing,  Mr, 
Devenish.  Was  it  {plucking  an  imaginary  flower)  "  This  year,  next 
year  1  "  or  "  Silk,  satin-—" 

Devenish.  My  lady,  it  was  even  more  romantic  than  that.  I 
liave  the  honour  to  announce  to  your  ladyship  that  Mr.  Baxter  ii 
to  be  a  sailor.    {Dances  round  imitating  the  hornpipe.) 

Belinda  {to  Baxter).    Doesn't  he  talk  nonsense  ? 

Baxter.    He'll  grow  out  of  it.    I  did. 

Belinda  {moving  down  r.  and  then  to  centre  towards  hammoci^ 
(N^  I  hope  not.    I  love  talking  nonsense,  and  I'm  ever  lo  old.    {4m 


18  BELINDA.  [AoT  I. 

they  loth  start  forward  to  protest.)  Now  which  one  of  you  will  say 
it  first  ? 

Devenish.    You  are  as  old  as  the  stars  and  as  young  as  the  dawn. 

Baxter.     You  are  ten  years  younger  than  I  am. 

Belinda.  What  sweet  things  to  say  1  I  don't  know  which  I 
Kke  best. 

Devenish.    Where  will  my  lady  sit  ? 

Belinda  {with  an  exaggerated  curtsy).  I  will  recline  in  the  ham- 
mock, an  it  please  thee,  my  lord 

(Baxter  goes  to  the  right  of  the  hammock,  saying  "  Allow  me.** 
Devenish  moves  to  the  left  of  the  hammock  and  holds  it,  takes  up 
a  cushion  which  Baxter  snatches  from  him  and  places  in  hammock 
again.) 

—only  it's  rather  awkward  getting  in,  Mr.  Baxter.  Perhaps  you'd 
both  better  look  at  the  tulips  for  a  moment. 

Baxter.  Oh — ah — ^yes.  {Crosses  down  b.,  turns  his  back  to  the 
hammock  and  examines  the  flowers.) 

Devenish  {leaning  over  her).    If  only 

Belinda.  You'd  better  not  say  anything,  Mr.  Devenish.  Keep 
it  for  your  next  volume.  {He  turns  away  and  examines  flowers  on  l. 
She  sits  on  hammock.)  One,  two,  three — {throws  her  legs  over) — that 
was  better  than  last  time.  {They  turn  round  to  see  her  safely  in  the 
hammock.  Devenish  leans  against  the  l.  tree  at  her  feet,  and  Baxter 
draws  the  deck-cJiair  from  the  right  side  of  the  table  and  turns  it  round 
towards  her.  He  presses  his  hat  tnore  firmly  on  and  sits  down.)  I  won- 
der if  either  of  you  can  guess  what  I've  been  reading  this  afternoonf 

Devenish  {looking  at  her  lovingly).    I  know. 

Belinda  (giving  him  a  fleeting  look).    How  did  you  knowt 

Devenish.    Well,  I 

Belinda  {to  Baxter).  Yes,  Mr.  Baxter,  it  was  your  article  I 
was  reading.  If  you'd  come  five  minutes  earlier  you'd  have  found 
me  wrestling — I  mean  revelling  in  it. 

Baxter.  I  am  very  greatly  honoured,  Mrs.  Tremayne.  Ah — it 
seemed  to  me  a  very  interesting  curve  showing  the  rise  and  fall  of 

Belinda.  I  hadn't  got  up  to  the  curves.  They  are  interesting, 
•len't  they  ?  They  are  really  more  in  Mr.  Devenish's  line.  {To 
Devenish.)  Mr.  Devenish,  it  was  a  great  disappointment  to  me 
tliat  all  the  poems  in  your  book  seemed  to  be  written  to  somebody 
else. 

Devenish.  It  was  before  I  met  you,  lady.  They  were  addressed 
to  the  goddess  of  my  imagination.  It  is  only  in  these  last  few  weeki 
that  I  have  discovered  her. 

Bklinda.    And  discovered  she  was  dark  and  not  fait. 

Devenish.    She  will  be  dark  in  my  next  volume. 

Belinda.    Oh,  how  nice  of  her ! 

Baxteb  {kindly).    You  should  write  a  leal  poem  to  Mn.  lSr»> 


AoT  1.1  BELINDA.  19 

Belinda  (excitedly).  Oh  do  !  "  To  Belinda.**  I  don't  know 
what  rhymes,  except  cinder.  You  coidd  say  your  heart  was  like 
a  cinder — all  burnt  up. 

Devenish  (pained).  Oh,  my  lady,  I'm  afraid  that  is  a  cockney 
rhyme. 

Belinda.    How  thrilling  !    I've  never  been  to  Hampstead  Heath. 

Devenish.  "  Belinda."  It  is  far  too  beautiful  to  rhyme  with 
anything  but  itself, 

Belinda.  Fancy !  But  what  about  Tremayne  ?  (Singing.) 
Oh,  I  am  Mrs.  Tremayne,  and  I  don't  want  to  marry  again. 

Devenish  (protesting).    My  lady  ! 

Baxter  (protesting).    Belinda  ! 

Belinda  (pointing  excitedly  to  Baxter).  There,  that's  the  first 
time  he's  called  me  Belinda  !  This  naughty  boy — (indiccUing 
Devenish) — is  always  doing  it — by  accident. 

Devenish.    Are  you  serious  ? 

Belinda.    Not  as  a  rule. 

Devenish.    You're  not  going  to  marry  again  I 

Belinda.    Well,  who  could  I  marry  1 

DevenishI 

and        Utogether).    Mel 

Baxter    J 

Belinda  (dropping  her  eyes  modestly).    But  this  is  England. 

Baxter  (rising  and  taking  off  his  hat,  which  he  places  on  fable,  and 
going  up  to  Belinda).  Mrs.  Tremayne,  I  claim  the  right  of  age— of 
my  greater  years — to  speak  first. 

Devenish.    Mrs.  Tremayne,  I 

Belinda  (kindly  to  Devenish).  You  can  speak  afterwards,  Mr. 
Devenish.  It's  so  awkward  when  you  both  speak  together.  {To 
Baxter,  giving  encouragement.)    Yes  ? 

Baxter  (moving  down  a  little  and  then  returning  to  Belinda). 
Mrs.  Tremayne,  I  am  a  man  of  substantial  position — 

(Devenish  sniggers — to  Baxter's  great  annoyance.) 
ftnd  perhaps  I  may  say  of  some  repute  in  serious  circles. 
(Devenish  sniggers  again.) 

All  that  I  have,  whether  of  material  or  mental  endowment,  I  lay  at 
your  feet,  together  with  an  admiration  which  I  cannot  readily  put 
Into  wordjB.  As  my  wife  I  think  you  would  be  happy,  and  I  feel  that 
with  you  by  my  side  I  could  achieve  even  greater  things. 

Belinda.  How  sweet  of  you  I  But  I  ought  to  tell  you  that  I'm 
no  good  at  figures. 

Dbvenish  (protesting).    My  lady 

Belinda.  I  don't  mean  what  you  mean,  Mr.  Devenidi.  Ton 
wait  till  it's  your  turn.    (To  Baxter.)    Yes  ? 

Baxter  (very  formally).    I  ask  you  to  marry  me,  Belinda. 

Bbunda  (settling  herself  happily  and  closing  her  eyes).  0-oh ! 
«  •  .    Now  it's  yowr  tun,  Mr.  Devenish. 


si  BELINDA.  [Aot  L 

Devenish  (excitedly).  Money — thank  Heaven,  I  have  no  money. 
Reputation — thank  Heaven,  I  have  no  reputation. 

(Baxter,  very  annoyed,  moves  dovm  and  aits  on  deck-chair.) 

Wiiat  can  I  offer  you  1  Dreams — nothing  but  dreams.  Come  with 
me  and  I  will  show  you  the  world  through  my  dreams.  What  can 
I  give  you  ?    Youth,  freedom,  beauty 

Baxter,    Debts. 

Belinda  {still  wUh  her  eyes  shut).  You  mustn't  interrupt,  Mr. 
Baxter. 

Devenish  (leaning  across  hammock).  Belinda,  marry  me  and  I 
will  open  your  eyes  to  the  beauty  of  the  world.     Come  to  me  ! 

Belinda  (happily).  0-oh  I  You've  got  such  different  ways  of 
putting  things.    How  can  I  choose  between  you  1 

Devenish.    Then  you  will  marry  one  of  us  t 

Belinda.    You  know  I  really  oughtn't  to. 

Baxter.    I  don't  see  why  not. 

Belinda.    Well,  there's  jUst  a  little  difficulty  in  the  way. 

Devenish,  What  is  it  ?  I  will  remove  it.  For  you  I  could 
remove  anything — ^yes,  even  Baxter.  (He  looks  at  Baxter,  who  it 
sitting  more  solidly  than  ever  in  his  chair.) 

Belinda.    And  anyhow  I  rhould  have  to  choose  between  you. 

Devenish  (in  a  whisper),    bhoose  me. 

Baxter  (stiffly).  Mrs.  Tremayne  does  not  require  any  prompting. 
A  fair  field  and  let  the  best  man  win. 

Devenish  (going  across  to  and  slapping  the  astonished  Baxter  on 
the  back).  Aye,  let  the  best  i  an  win  !  Well  spoken,  Baxter.  (Bax- 
ter is  very  annoyed.  To  Belinda  and  going  back  to  her  l.)  Send 
us  out  into  the  world  upon  some  knightly  quest,  lady,  and  let  the 
victor  be  rewarded. 

Baxter.  I — er — ought  to  say  that  I  should  be  unable  to  go  very 
far.    I  have  an  engagement  to  speak  at  Newcastle  on  the  21st. 

Devenish.  Baxter,  I  wil^.  take  no  unfair  advantage  of  you.  Let 
the  beard  of  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Newcastle  be  the  talisman  that  my 
lady  demands  ;    I  am  satisfied. 

Baxter.  This  sort  of  thing  is  entirely  contrary  to  my  usual 
mode  of  life,  but  I  wiU  not  be  outfaced  by  a  mere  boy.  (Rising.) 
I  am  prepared.    (Going  to  her.) 

Devenish.    Speak,  lady. 

Belinda  (speaking  in  a  deep,  mysterious  voice).  Gentlemen,  ys 
put  wild  thoughts  into  my  head.  In  sooth,  I  am  minded  to  send  ye 
forth  upon  a  quest  that  is  passing  strange.  Know  ye  that  there  is  a 
maid  journeyed  hither,  hight  Bobinson — ^whose— (in  her  natural 
voice)  what's  the  old  for  aunt  ? 

Baxter  (hopefully).    Mother's  sister. 

Belinda.  You  know,  I  think  I  shall  have  to  explain  this  in 
ordinary  language.    You  won't  mind  very  much,  ?nll  you,  Mr. 


Act  I.]  BELINDA.  21 

Devenisii.  It  is  the  spirit  of  this  which  matters,  not  the  lan- 
guage which  clothes  it. 

Belinda.  Oh,  I'm  so  glad  you  think  so.  Well,  now  about  Miss 
Robinson.  She's  my  niece  and  she's  just  come  to  stay  with  me,  and 
— poor  girl — she's  lost  her  father.  Absolutely  lost  him.  He 
disappeared  ever  such  a  long  time  ago,  and  poor  Miss  Robinson — 
Delia — naturally  wants  to  find  him.  Poor  girl !  she  can't  think 
where  he  is. 

Devenish  {nobly).    I  will  find  him. 

Belinda.  Oh,  thank  you,  Mr.  Devenish  ;  Miss  Robinson  would 
be  so  much  obliged. 

Baxter.  Yes — er — but  what  have  we  to  go  upon  ?  Beyond 
the  fact  that  his  name  is  Robinson 

Belinda.  I  shouldn't  go  on  that  too  much.  You  see,  he  may 
easily  have  changed  it  by  now.  He  was  never  very  much  of  a 
Robinson.    Nothing  to  do  with  Peter  or  any  of  those. 

Devenish.     I  will  find  him. 

Baxter  {with  a  look  of  annoyance  at  Devenish),  Well,  can  you 
tell  us  what  he's  like  ? 

Belinda.  Well,  it's  such  a  long  time  since  I  saw  him.  {Looking 
dovm  modestly.)  Of  course,  I  was  quite  a  girl  then.  The  only  thing 
I  know  for  certain  is  that  he  has  a  mole  on  his  left  arm  about  here. 
{She  indicates  a  spot  just  below  the  elbow.  Baxter  examines  it 
closely.) 

Devenish  {folding  his  arms  and  looking  nobly  upwards).  I  will 
find  him. 

Baxter.  I  am  bound  to  inform  you,  Mrs.  Tremayne,  that  even 
a  trained  detective  could  not  give  you  very  much  hope  in  such  a 
case.     However,  I  will  keep  a  look-out  for  him,  and,  of  course,  if 

Devenish.     Fear  not,  lady,  I  will  find  him. 

Baxter  {annoyed).  Yes,  you  keep  on  saying  that,  but  what  have 
you  got  to  go  on  ? 

Devenish  {grandly).    Faith  !     The  faith  which  moves  mountains. 

Belinda.  Yes,  and  this  is  only  just  one  small  mole-hill,  Mr. 
Baxter. 

Baxter.    Yes,  but  still 

Belinda.     S'sh  !   here  is  Miss  Robinson. 

(Baxter   takes  up  his  hat  and  moves  below  the  deck-chair  to  n.  to 

meet  Delia.) 

If  Mr.  Devenish  will  hold  the  hammock  while  I  alight — we  don't 
want  an  accident — 

(Delia  comes  out  of  the  h/nise.) 

— I  can  introduce  you.  {He  helps  her  to  get  out,  holding  the  hammock.) 
Thank  you.  Delia  darling  (Delia  moves  down  r.)  this  is  Mr.  Baxter, 
— and  Mr.  Devenish.    My  niece,  Miss  Robinson 


St  BELINDA.  [Act  L 

(Delia  shakes  hinds  with  Baxter  and  moves  to  c.  "below  Beunda 
and  shakes  hands  with  Devenish.) 

Delia.    How  do  you  do  I 

Belinda.  Miss  Kobinson  has  just  come  over  from  France. 
Mon  Bieu,  quel  pays  I 

Baxter.    I  hope  you  had  a  good  crossing,  Miss  Robinson. 

Delia.  Oh,  I  never  mind  about  the  crossing.  (Very  slowly  and 
shyly.)    Aunt  Belinda {She  stops  and  smiles.) 

Belinda.    Yes,  dear  ? 

Delia.  I  believe  tea  is  almost  ready.  I  want  mine,  and  I'm 
■ure  Mr.  Baxter's  hungry.  {He  sniggers  approvingly.)  Mr.  Jevenish 
scorns  food,  I  expect. 

Devenish  {hurt).    Why  do  you  say  that  f 

Delia.    Aren't  you  a  poet  ? 

Belinda.  Yes,  darling,  but  that  doesn't  prevent  him  eating. 
He'll  be  absolutely  lyrical  over  Betty's  sandwiches. 

Devenish.  You  won't  deny  me  that  inspiration,  I  hope,  Miss 
Robinson. 

Belinda  {taking  Delia's  arm  and  moving  with  her  to  bdow  deck- 
chair).    Well,  let's  go  and  see  what  they're  like. 

(Delia  moves  up  r.c.  to  below  the  porch,  accompanied  by  Baxter  oh 
her  R.  and  Devenish,  who  follows  her  on  her  l.  They  aU  move 
towards  the  porch.) 

Mr.  Baxter,  just  a  moment. 

Baxter  {apologizing  to  Delia  and  moving  in  frortt  of  the  others  to 
back  of  deck-chair.)    Yes  1 

(Delia  gatJiers  a  daffodil  from  a  vase  r.  and  places  it  in  Dbvenish's 

buttonhole.) 

Belinda  {secretly).  Not  a  word  to  her  about  Mr.  Robinson.  It 
must  be  a  surprise  for  her. 

Baxter.    Quite  so,  I  understand. 

Belinda.  That's  right.  (Baxter  rejoins  Delia.  Raising  her 
voice.)    Oh,  Mr.  Devenish. 

(Devenish,  who  is  evidently  much  attracted  by  Delia,  apologizes  to 
her  and  goes  back  between  tree  and  hammock  to  L.  0/ Belinda.) 

Devenish.    Yes,  Mrs.  Tremayne  1 

Belinda  {secretly).  Not  a  word  to  her  about  Mr.  Robinson.  It 
must  be  a  surprise  for  her. 

Devenish.    Of  course  !    I  shoiddn't  dream {Indignantly.) 

Robinson  !     What  an  unsuitable  name  ! 

(Baxter  and  Delia  are  just  going  into  the  house.) 

Belinda  {dismissing  Devenish).    All  right,  I'll  catch  you  up. 

(Devenish  goes  after  the  other  two,) 


Act  I.]  BELINDA.  tS 

{Left  alone,  Belinda  laughs  happily  to  herself,  and  then  "begins  to  look 
rather  aimlessly  about  her.  SJie  picks  up  her  sunshade  and  opens  it. 
She  comes  to  the  hammock,  picks  out  her  handkerchief,  says,  "Ah, 
there  you  are !  "  and  puts  it  away.  She  goes  slowly  towards  the 
house.  Tremayne  enters  from  L.  and  with  his  back  to  the  audience 
tries  latch  of  imaginary  gate  below  scenic  painted  gateway  L.  Belinda 
turns  her  head,  hearing  imaginary  dick  of  the  garden  gate  l.  She 
comes  slowly  back  r.c.) 

Belinda  {seeing  Tkemayne).  Have  you  lost  yourself,  or  some- 
thing ?     No ;   the  latch  is  this  side.  .  .  .    Yes,  that's  right. 

(Tremayne  comes  in.  He  has  been  knocking  about  the  world  for 
eighteen  years,  and  is  very  much  a  man,  though  he  has  kept  his 
manners.  His  hair  is  greying  a  little  at  the  sides,  and  he  looks 
the  forty-odd  that  he  is.  Without  his  moustache  and  heard  he  %» 
very  different  from  the  boy  Felinda  married.) 

Tremayne  (with  his  hcU  in  his  hand).    I'm  afraid  I'm  trespassing. 
Belinda  {winningly,  moving  down  r.  a  little).    But  it's  such  a 
pretty  garden  {turns  away,  closing  her  parasol),  isn't  it  ? 

(Tremayne,  half  recognizing  her,  moves  to  back  of  hammock  and  leans 
across  to  obtain  a  better  view  of  her.) 

Tremayne  {raiher  confused).    I — I  beg  youx  pardon,  I — er 

{He  is  wondering  if  it  can  possibly  be  she.  Belinda  thinks  his  con- 
fusion is  due  to  the  fact  that  he  is  trespassing,  and  hastens  to  put  him 
at  his  ease.) 

Belinda.    I  should  have  done  the  same  myself,  you  know. 

Tremayne  {pulling  himself  together).  Oh,  but  you  mustn't  think 
I  just  came  in  because  I  liked  the  garden 

Belinda  {clapping  her  hands).    No  ;  but  say  you  do  like  it,  quick. 

Tremayne.    It's  lovely  and {He  hesitates.) 

Belinda  {hopefully).    Yes  1 

Tremayne  {with  conviction).    Yes,  it's  lovely. 

Belinda  {with  that  happy  sigh  of  hers).  0-oh  1  .  •  •  Now  tell 
me  what  really  did  happen  ? 

Tremayne.    I  was  on  my  way  to  Marytown 

Belinda.    To  where  1 

Tremayne.    Marytown. 

Belinda.    Oh,  you  mean  Mariton. 

Tremayne.    Do  I  ? 

Belinda.  Yes  ;  we  always  call  it  Mariton  down  here.  {Earn- 
estly.)    You  don't  mind,  do  you  ? 

Tremayne  {smiling).    Not  a  bit. 

Belinda.    Just  say  it — to  see  if  you've  got  it  right. 

Tremayne.    Mariton. 

Belinda  {shaking  her  head).  Oh  no,  that's  quite  wrong.  Try  il 
again.    {With  a  nistic  accent.)    Mariton. 


S4  BELINDA.  [Act  L 

Tremayns.    Mariton. 

Beunda.  Yes,  that's  much  better.  •  ;  ;  {As  if  it  were  he  who 
had  interrupted.)    Well,  do  go  on. 

Tremayve.  I'm  afraid  it  isn't  much  of  an  apology  really.  I 
saw  what  looked  like  a  private  road  {points  l.),  but  what  I  rather 
hoped  wasn't,  and — well,  I  thought  I'd  risk  it.  I  do  hope  you'll 
forgive  me. 

Belinda.  Oh,  but  I  love  people  seeing  my  garden.  Are  you 
staying  in  Mariton  ? 

Tremaynb.     I  think  so.     Oh  yes,  decidedly. 

Belinda.  Well,  perhaps  the  next  time  the  road  won't  feel  so 
private. 

Tremaynb.  How  charming  of  you !  {He  feels  he  must  know. 
A  piano  is  heard  off  playing  "  Belinda."  The  tune  is  continued  until 
the  fall  of  the  curtain.)    Are  you  Mrs.  Tremayne  by  any  chance  I 

Belinda.    Yes. 

Tremaynb  {nodding  to  himself).    Yes. 

Belinda.    How  did  you  know  ? 

Tremayne  {hastily  inventing,  moving  down  l.  "below  the  hammock). 
They  use  you  as  a  sign-post  in  the  village.  Past  Mis.  Tremayne'i 
house  and  then  bear  to  the  left 

Belinda.    And  you  couldn't  go  past  it  ? 

Tremaynb.  I'm  afraid  I  couldn't.  Thank  you  so  much  for  not 
minding.  {Going  up  to  the  l.  of  her.)  Well,  I  must  be  getting  on, 
I  have  trespassed  quite  enough. 

Belinda  {regretfully).  And  you  haven't  really  seen  the  garden 
yet. 

Tremaynb.  If  you  won't  mind  my  going  on  this  way,  I  shall 
see  some  more  on  my  way  out. 

Belinda.  Please  do.  It  likes  being  looked  at.  {With  the 
faintest  suggestion  of  demureness.)    All  pretty  things  do. 

Tremayne.    Thank  you  very  much.    {Turns  to  go  up  c.)    Er 
{He  hesitates.) 

Belinda  {helpfully).    Yes  t 

Tremayne,  I  wonuer  if  you'd  mind  very  much  if  I  called  one 
day  to  thank  you  formally  for  the  lesson  you  gave  me  in  pronuncia- 
tion 1 

Belinda  {gravely).  Yes,  I  almost  think  you  ought  to.  I  think 
it's  the  correct  thing  to  do. 

Tremaynb  {contentedly).    Thank  you  very  much,  Mrs.  Tremayne. 

Belinda.  You'll  come  in  quite  formally  {pointing  to  r.  unth  her 
iunshade)  by  the  front-door  next  time,  won't  you,  because — because 
that  seems  the  only  chance  of  my  getting  to  know  your  name. 

Tremaynb.  Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon.  My  name  is — er — er^ 
Robinson. 

Sk»  i$  highly  amused  and  looks  round  towards  the  house,  recaUing  to 
her  mind  Delia.) 


Act  I.]  BELINDA.  S6 

Belinda  {laughing).    How  very  odd ! 

Tremayne  {skiriled).     Odd  ? 

Belinda.  Yes  ;  we  have  some  one  called  Robinson  [nodding 
towards,  the  house)  staying  in  the  house.  I  wonder  if  she  is  any 
relation  1 

Tremayne  {hastily).  Oh  no,  no.  No,  she  couldn't  be.  I  have 
no  relations  called  Robinson — not  to  speak  of. 

Belinda.  You  must  tell  me  all  about  your  relations  when  you 
come  and  call,  Mr.  Robinson. 

Tremayne.  I  think  we  can  find  something  better  worth  talking 
about  than  that. 

Belinda.  Do  you  think  so  ?  {He  says  "  Yes  "  vrith  his  eyes, 
hows,  and  moves  up  c.  The  piano  is  novj  forte.  Belinda  accom- 
panies him  up  a  little,  then  stops.  He  turns  in  entrance  up  c,  and 
they  exchange  glances.  Tremayne  exits  to  r.,  behind  yew  hedge. 
Belinda  stays  looking  after  him,  then  moves  down  to  back  of  table  and 
picking  up  the  book  of  poems,  gives  that  happy  sigh  of  hers,  only  even 
more  so.)    0-oh  I 

{Enter  Betty  from  porch.) 

Betty.  If  you  please,  ma'am.  Miss  Delia  says,  are  you  coming 
in  to  tea  ? 

Belinda  (looking  straight  in  front  of  her,  and  taking  no  notice  of 
Betty,  in  a  happy,  dreamy  voice).  Betty,  .  .  .  about  callers.  .  .  . 
,  If  Mr.  Robinson  calls — he's  the  handsome  gentleman  who  hasn't 
been  here  before  {puts  book  down) — you  will  say,  "  Not  at  home." 
And  he  will  say,  "  Oh  ! "  And  you  will  say,  "  I  beg  your  pardon, 
sir,  was  it  Mr.  Robinson  ?  "     And  he  will  say,  "  Yes  !  "     And  you 

will  say,  "  Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir "     {Almost  as  if  she  were 

Betty,  shs  begins  to  move  towards  the  house.)     "  This  way "  {she 

tDould  he  smiling  an  invitation  over  her  shoulder  to  Mr.  Robinson, 
if  he  were  ihre,  and  she  were  Betty) — "  please  1  "  {And  the  aban- 
dioned  wonruin  goes  in  to  lea.) 


CuBTAnn 


ACT  n 

It  ii  morning  in  Belinda's  hall,  a  hw-roofed,  oak-'heamed  flace, 
comfortably  furnished  as  a  sitting-room.  There  is  an  inner  and  an 
outer  front-door,  both  of  which  are  open.  Up  c.  is  a  door  leading  to 
a  small  room  where  hats  and  coats  are  kept.  A  door  on  the  L.  leads 
towards  the  living-rooms. 

Deventsh  enters  from  up  l.  at  hack,  passes  the  toindows  of  the  inner 
room  and  crosses  to  the  porch.  He  rings  the  electric  hell  outside,  then 
enters  through  the  swing  doors  r.c.  Betty  enters  r.  and  moves  up 
at  hack  of  settee  r.  to  Devenish  hy  the  swing  doors.  He  is  carrying 
a  large  hunch  of  violets  and  adopts  a  very  aesthetic  attitude. 

Betty.    Good  morning,  sir. 

Devenish.  Good  morning.  I  am  afraid  this  is  an  unceremonious 
hour  for  a  call,  but  my  sense  of  beauty  urged  me  hither  in  defiance 
of  convention. 

Betty.    Yes,  sir. 

Devenish  {holding  up  his  houquet  to  Betty).  See,  the  dew  is  jet 
lingering  upon  them ;  how  could  I  let  them  wait  until  this  after- 
noon? 

Betty.    Yes,  sir ;    but  I  think  the  mistress  is  out. 

Devenish.  They  are  not  for  your  mistress  ;  they  are  for  Miss 
Delia. 

Betty.  Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir.  If  you  will  come  in,  1*11 
see  if  I  can  find  her.  {She  crosses  to  the  door  r.  and  goes  away  to 
find  Delia,  closing  the  door  after  her.) 

(Devenish  tries  a  number  of  poses  about  the  room  for  himsdf  and  hi$ 
bouquet.  He  crosses  helow  the  table  c.  and  sits  l.  of  it  and  is  about 
to  place  his  dhow  on  the  table  when  he  finds  the  toy  dog  which  has  been 
placed  there  is  in  his  way.  He  removes  it  to  the  centre  of  the  table 
and  then  leans  with  his  elbow  on  table  and  finds  this  pose  unsuitable 
§0  he  crosses  to  above  the  fireplace  and  leans  against  the  upper  portico, 
retting  on  his  elbow  which  slips  and  nearly  prostrates  him.  He 
then  crosses  up  to  l.  of  the  cupboard  door  at  hack  centre  and  leans  on 
his  dbow  against  the  wall.) 

{Enter  Delia  from  the  door  r.) 

Dbua  {shutting  the  door  and  going  to  Dsvxkish).  Oh,  good 
Mornmg,  Mr.  Devenish. 

28 


Aot  ILJ  BELINDA.  S7 

(Devenish  kisses  her  Tiand,) 
I'm  afraid  my — er — aunt  is  out. 

Devenish.     I  know,  Miss  Delia,  I  know. 

Delia.  She'll  be  bo  sorry  to  have  missed  you.  It  is  her  day  for 
you,  isn't  it  ? 

Devenish.    Her  day  for  me  t 

Delia.  Yes  ;  Mr.  Baxter  generally  comes  to-morrow,  doesn't 
he? 

Devenish  [jealotLsly).  Miss  Delia,  if  our  friendship  is  to  progress 
at  all,  it  can  only  be  on  the  distinct  understanding  that  I  take 
no  interest  whatever  {coming  to  hack  of  table  o.)  in  Mr.  Baxter's 
movements, 

Delia  {moving  doion  r.  a  little).  Oh,  I'm  so  sorry  ;  I  thought  you 
knew.    What  lovely  flowers  !    Are  they  for  my  aimt  1 

Devenish.  To  whom  does  one  bring  violets  ?  To  modest, 
•hrinking,  tender  youth. 

Delia.    I  don't  think  we  have  anybody  here  like  that. 

Devenish  {with  a  how  and  holding  out  the  violets  to  her).  Miss 
Delia,  they  are  for  you. 

Delia  {smelling  and  taking  violets).  Oh,  how  nice  of  you  !  But 
I'm  afraid  I  oughtn't  to  take  them  from  you  under  false  pretences ; 
I  don't  shrink. 

Devenish.  A  fanciful  way  of  putting  it,  perhaps.  They  aie 
none  the  less  for  you. 

Delia.  Well,  it's  awfully  kind  of  you.  {Puts  flowers  down.  Then 
ihe  mx)ves  up  to  the  cupboard.  He  follows  on  her  l.  and  opens  the  door.) 
I'm  afraid  I'm  not  a  very  romantic  person.  {Turning  to  him  in 
cupboard  doorway.)  Aunt  Belinda  does  all  the  romancing  in  our 
family. 

Devenish.    Your  aunt  is  a  very  remarkable  woman. 

Delia.  She  is.  Don't  you  dare  to  say  a  word  against  her. 
{Takes  up  a  vase  from  a  chair  in  cupboard  arid  shakes  it  as  if  draining 

Devenish.  My  dear  Miss  Delia,  nothing  could  be  further  from 
my  thoughts.  Why,  am  I  not  indebted  to  her  for  that  great  happi- 
ness which  has  come  to  me  in  these  last  few  days  ? 

Delia  {surprised).  Good  gracious  !  and  I  didn't  know  anything 
about  it.  {Coming  down  to  "R.  of  table  vnth  vase.)  But  what  about 
poor  Mr.  Baxter  ? 

Devenish  {stiffly,  crossing  over  to  fireplace,  very  annoyed).  I  must 
beg  that  Mr.  Baxter's  name  be  kept  out  of  our  conversation, 

Delia  {going  up  to  table  behind  Chesterfield  up  L.).    But  I  thought 
Kr.  Baxter  and  you  were  such  friends, 
(Delia  takes  water  carafe  from  the  table  and  smiles  ai  Devenish— 

which  he  does  not  see.) 
Do  tell  me  what's  happened.    {Moving  down  to  r.  of  table  a,  »ht 
$it8  and  arranges  the  fUnoers.)    I  seem  to  have  lost  myself. 


tS  BELINDA.  [Act  H. 

Di:VENiSH  {coming  to  (he  hack  of  o.  table  and  reclining  on  it.)  What 
has  happened,  Miss  Delia,  is  that  I  have  learnt  at  last  the  secret  that 
my  heart  has  been  striving  to  tell  me  for  weeks  past.  As  soon  as  I 
saw  that  gracious  lady,  your  aunt,  I  knew  that  I  was  in  love.  Fool- 
ishly I  took  it  for  granted  that  it  was  she  for  whom  my  heart  was 
thrilling.  How  mistaken  I  was  I  Directly  you  came,  you  opened 
my  eyes,  and  now 

Delia.    Mr.  Devenish,  you  don't  say  you're  proposing  to  me  ? 

Devenish.  I  am.  I  feel  sure  I  am.  {Leaning  towards  her.) 
Delia,  I  love  you. 

Delia.    How  exciting  of  you  I 

Devenish  {loith  a  modest  shrug).    It's  nothing ;  I  am  a  poet. 

Delia.    You  really  want  to  marry  me  ? 

Devenish.    Such  is  my  earnest  wish. 

Delia.    But  what  about  my  aunt  ? 

Devenish  (simply).    She  will  be  my  aunt-in-law. 

Delia.     She'll  be  rather  surprised. 

Devenish.  Delia,  I  will  be  frank  with  you.  (Sits.)  T  admit 
that  I  made  Mrs.  Tremayne  an  ofEer  of  marriage. 

Delia  (excitedly).  You  really  did  1  Was  it  that  first  afternoon 
I  came  ? 

Devenish.    Yes. 

Delia.    Oh,  I  wish  I'd  been  there ! 

Devenish  (with  dignity,  rising  and  moving  to  l.  of  table).  It  is 
not  my  custom  to  propose  in  the  presence  of  a  third  party.  It  ia 
true  that  on  the  occasion  you  mention  a  man  called  Baxter  was 
on  the  lawn,  but  I  regarded  him  no  more  than  the  old  apple-tree  or 
the  flower-beds,  or  any  other  of  the  fixtures. 

Delia.    What  did  she  say  ? 

Devenish.    She  accepted  me  conditionally, 

Delia.    Oh,  do  tell  me  I 

Devenish.  It  is  rather  an  unhappy  story.  This  man  called 
Baxter  in  his  vulgar  way  also  made  a  proposal  of  marriage.  Mrs. 
Tremayne  was  gracious  enough  to  imply  that  she  would  marry 
whichever  one  of  us  fulfilled  a  certain  condition. 

Delia.    How  sweet  of  her ! 

Devenish.  It  is  my  earnest  hope.  Miss  Delia,  that  the  man 
called  Baxter  will  be  the  victor.  As  far  as  is  consistent  with  honour, 
I  shall  endeavour  to  let  Mr.  Baxter  (hanging  the  table  with  his  hand) 
win. 

Delia.    What  was  the  condition  ? 

Devenish.    That  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  telL 

Dblm.    Oh ! 

Devenish.    It  is,  I  understand,  to  be  a  surprise  for  you. 

Delia.  How  exciting  !  (Rising  and  taking  vase  of  violets  whtek 
tike  placea  up  r.)  Mr.  Devenish,  you  have  been  very  frank  (coming 
M  front  of  settee  b.  and  sitting).    May  I  be  equally  so  ? 

(Dbybnish  crosses  to  her  and  bows  in  acquiescence.) 


Aov  II.3  BELINDA.  "20 

Why  do  you  wear  your  hair  so  long  ? 

Devenish  {pleased).    You  have  noticed  itt 

Delia.     Well,  yes,  I  have. 

Devenish.  I  wear  it  so  to  express  my  contempt  for  the  conven- 
tions of  so-called  society. 

Delia.  I  always  thought  that  people  wore  it  very  very  short  if 
they  despised  the  conventions  of  society. 

Devenish.  I  think  that  the  mere  fact  that  my  hair  annoys  Mr. 
Baxter  is  sufldcient  justification  for  its  length. 

Delia.    But  if  it  annoys  me  too  ? 

Devenish  {heroically).    It  shall  go.    {Sits  on  settee  above  Delia.) 

(Belinda  enters  from  up  l.  with  a  garden  basket  supposed  to  contain 
cutlets.    She  crosses  the  windows  at  back.) 

Delia  {apologetically).  I  told  you  I  wasn't  a  very  romantic 
person,  didn't  I  ?  {Kindly.)  You  can  always  grow  it  again  if  you 
iall  in  love  with  somebody  else. 

Devenish.  That  is  cruel  of  you,  Delia.  I  shall  never  fall  ia 
love  again. 

(Enter  Belinda  through  swing  doors  e.g.) 

Belinda.    Why,  it's  Mr.  Devenish ! 

(Devenish  rises  and  kisses  her  hand  somewhat  sheepishly^ 

How  nice  of  you  to  come  so  early  in  the  morning  1  How  is  Mr. 
Baxter  ? 

Devenish  {annoyed  and  crossing  behind  Belinda  to  her  L.).  I 
do  not  know,  Mrs.  Tremayne. 

Belinda  {coming  down  to  Delia  and  sitting  in  the  place  vacated  by 
Devenish).  I  got  most  of  the  things,  Delia.  {To  Devenish.) 
"  The  things,"  Mr.  Devenish,  is  my  rather  stuffy  way  of  referring  to 
all  the  delightful  poems  that  you  are  going  to  eat  to-night. 

Devenish.    I  am  looking  forward  to  it  immensely,  Mrs.  Tremayne. 

Belinda.  I  do  hope  I've  got  all  your  and  Mr.  Baxter's  favourite 
dishes. 

Devenish  {annoyed  and  moving  to  l.  foot  of  tdbU  0.).  I'm  afraid 
Mr.  Baxter  and  I  are  not  likely  to  appreciate  the  same  things. 

Belinda  {coyly).  Oh,  Mr.  Devenish  1  And  you  were  so  unani- 
mous a  few  days  ago. 

Delia.  I  think  Mr.  Devenish  was  referring  entirely  to  things  to 
•at. 

Belinda.  I  felt  quite  sad  when  I  was  buying  the  lamb  cutlets. 
To  think  that,  only  a  few  days  before,  they  had  been  frisking  about 
with  their  mammas,  and  having  poems  written  about  them  by  Mr. 
Devenish.  There  I  I'm  giving  away  the  whole  dinnei.  Delia* 
take  him  away  before  I  tell  him  any  mora. 


39  iiELINDA.  [Aov  IL 

(Delia  rises,  goes  to  table  and  picks  up  water  carafe  which  she  replaces 
on  refectory  table  up  L.) 

We  must  keep  some  surprises  for  him. 

Deua  (to  Devenish  as  she  crosses  back  to  table  b.  and  picks  up 
the  flowers).    Come  along,  Mr.  Devenish. 

Belinda  {wickedly).    Are  those  my  flowers,  Mr.  Devenish  ? 

Devenish  {advancing  to  Belinda  and  laughing  awkwardly,  after 
a  little  hesitation,  with  a  how  which  might  refer  to  either  of  them). 
They  are  for  the  most  beautiful  lady  in  the  land. 

Belinda.    Oh,  how  nice  of  you  I 

(Devenish  crosses  to  door  b.  and  opens  it  for  Delia,  who  follows  him 
and  exits.  Devenish,  standing  above  door,  catches  Belinda's  ey» 
and  with  an  awkward  laugh  follows  Delia.) 

Belinda.  I  suppose  he  means  Delia — bless  them !  {She  kisses 
her  hand  towards  the  door  B.  She  then  rises  and  crosses  below  the 
table  0.,  placing  her  basket  on  the  l.  end  of  it,  to  the  fireplace.  She 
rings  the  bell.  Then  she  moves  up  on  the  b.  side  of  the  Chesterfield  to  the 
refectory  table  and  takes  off  her  hat.  She  takes  up  a  mirror  from  the 
table  and  gives  a  few  pats  to  her  hair,  and  as  she  is  doing  so  Bettt 
enters  from  door  b.  and  crosses  the  room  towards  o.) 

Belinda  {pointing  to  basket  on  the  o.  table).    Oh,  Betty 

(Bettt  moves  to  back  of  o.  table  and  takes  up  the  basket.  Crosses 
above  settee  and  exits  through  door  b.  Belinda  is  moving  towards 
the  swing  doors  when  she  catches  sight  of  Baxteb  entering  from  the 
garden  up  b.  She  moves  quickly  to  the  l.  of  c.  table,  takes  up  a  book 
and  going  to  Chesterfield  l.,  lies  doum  with  her  head  to  b.  Baxteb 
looks  in  through  the  window  up  b,,  thert  crosses  round  and  enters 
through  the  portico  and  the  swing  doors,  Belinda  pretends  to  he 
very  Imsy  reading.) 

Baxteb  {rather  nervcmsly,  in  front  of  swing  doors).  Er — may  I 
come  in,  Mrs.  Tremayne  ? 

Belinda  {dropping  her  book  and  turning  round  with  a  violent 
start).  Oh,  Mr.  Baxter,  how  you  surprised  me  !  {She  puts  her  hand 
to  her  heart  and  sits  up  and  faces  him.) 

Baxteb.  I  must  apologize  for  intruding  upon  you  at  thia  hour, 
Mrs.  Tremayne. 

Belinda  {holding  up  her  Jiand).    Stop  I 

Baxteb  {startled).    What  ? 

Belinda.    I  cannot  let  you  come  in  like  that. 

Baxteb  {looking  doum  at  himself).    Like  what ! 

Belinda  {dropping  her  eyes).    You  called  me  Belinda  once. 

Baxteb  {coming  doum  to  her).  May  I  explain  my  position,  MaL 
Tremayne  t 

Belinda.  Befoie  joa  begin — have  70a  been  seeing  mj  nieo9 
htelljl 


Acs  n.]  BELINDA.  81 

Baxter  (surprised).    No. 

Belinda.     Oh !    {Sweetly.)    Please  go  on; 

Baxter.    Why,  is  she  lost  too  ? 

Belinda.    Oh  no  ;  I  just Do  sit  down. 

(Baxter  moves  to  the  chair  l.  of  o.  table  and  sits.    Bblinda  rites 

when  he  has  sat  dovm.) 

Let  me  put  your  hat  down  somewhere  for  you. 

Baxter  {keeping  it  firmly  in  his  hand).  It  will  be  all  right  here, 
thank  you. 

Belinda  {returning  to  the  Chesterfield  and  sitting).  I'm  dying  to 
hear  what  you  are  going  to  say. 

Baxter.  First  as  regards  the  use  of  your  Christian  name.  I 
felt  that,  as  a  man  of  honour,  I  could  not  permit  myself  to  use  it 
until  I  had  established  my  right  over  that  of  Mr.  Devenish. 

Belinda.    AU  my  friends  call  me  Belinda. 

Baxter.  As  between  myself  and  Mr.  Devenish  the  case  is 
somewhat  different.  Until  one  of  us  is  successful  over  the  other  in 
the  quest  upon  which  you  have  sent  us,  I  feel  that  as  far  as  possible 
we  should  hold  aloof  from  you. 

Belinda  {pleadingly).  Just  say  "  Belinda  "  once  moie,  in  case 
you're  a  long  time. 

Baxter  {very  formally).    Belinda. 

Belinda.    How  nicely  you  say  it — Harold. 

Baxter  {getting  out  of  his  seat).  Mrs.  Tremayne,  I  must  not 
listen  to  this. 

Belinda  {meekly).  I  won't  offend  again,  Mr.  Baxter.  Please  go 
on.  {She  motions  him  to  sit — Jie  does  so.)  Tell  me  about  t£e 
quest ;   are  you  winning  ? 

Baxter.  I  am  progressing,  Mrs.  Tremayne.  Indeed,  I  came  here 
this  morning  to  acquaint  you  with  the  results  of  my  investigations. 
(Clears  his  throat.)  Yesterday  I  located  a  man  called  Robinson 
working  upon  a  farm  close  by.  I  ventured  to  ask  him  if  he  had  any 
marks  upon  him  by  which  he  could  be  recognized.  He  adopted  a 
threatening  attitude,  and  replied  that  if  I  wanted  any  he  could  give 
me  some.  With  the  aid  of  half-a-crown  I  managed  to  placate  him. 
Putting  my  inquiry  in  another  form,  I  asked  if  he  had  any  moles. 
A  regrettable  misunderstanding,  which  led  to  a  fruitless  journey  to 
another  part  of  the  village,  was  eventually  cleared  up,  and  on  my 
return  I  satisfied  myself  that  this  man  was  in  no  way  related  to  jova 
niece. 

Belinda  (admiringly).    How  splendid  of  you  I 

Baxter.    Yes. 

Belinda.    Well,  now,  we  know  he's  not.   (She  holds  up  onefiriger.) 

Baxter.  Yes.  In  the  afternoon  I  located  another  Mr.  Robinson 
following  the  profession  of  a  carrier.  My  first  inquiries  led  to  a 
similar  result,  with  the  exception  that  in  this  case  Mr.  Robinson 
earned  liis  thieatening  attitude  so  fai  as  to  take  ofi  his  coat  and  roll 


St  BELINDA.  [Act  II. 

up  his  sleeves.  Perceiving  at  once  that  he  was  not  the  man,  I 
withdrew. 

Belinda.    How  brave  you  are  | 

Baxter.    Yes. 

Belinda.    That  makes  two. 

Baxter.    Yes. 

Belinda  (holding  up  another  finger).  It  still  leaves  a  good  many, 
{Pleadingly.)    Just  call  me  Belinda  again. 

Baxter  {rising  and  backing  ton.  a  little,  nervoitsly).  You  mustn't 
tempt  me,  Mrs.  Tremayne. 

Belinda  {penitently).    I  won't! 

Baxter  {going  slowly  to  fireplace  and  placing  his  hat  down  on 
mrmchair  below  fireplace).  To  resume,  then,  my  narrative.  This 
morning  I  have  heard  of  a  third  Mr.  Robinson.  Whether  there  is 
actually  any  particular  fortune  attached  to  the  number  three  I 
cannot  say  for  certain.  It  is  doubtful  whether  statistics  would  be 
found  to  support  the  popular  belief.  But  one  likes  to  flatter  oneself 
that  in  one's  own  case  it  may  be  true ;   and  so 

Belinda.    And  so  the  third  Mr.  Robinson 1 

Baxter.  Something  for  which  I  cannot  altogether  account 
inspires  me  with  hope.  He  is,  I  have  discovered,  staying  at  Mariton. 
Tlus  afternoon  I  go  to  look  for  him. 

Belinda  {to  herself).  Mariton  1  How  funny  I  I  wonder  if  it's 
the  same  one. 

Baxter.    What  one  t 

Belinda.  Oh,  just  one  of  the  ones.  {Gratefully.)  Mr.  Baxter, 
you  are  doing  all  this  for  me. 

Baxter.  Pray  do  not  mention  it.  I  don't  know  if  it's  Devon- 
shire {going  to  arid  sitting  l.  of  Belinda),  or  the  time  of  the  year,  or 
the  sort  of  atmosphere  you  create,  Mrs.  Tremayne,  but  I  feel  an 
entirely  different  man.  There  is  something  in  the  air  which — yes, 
I  shall  certainly  go  over  to  Mariton  this  afternoon. 

Belinda  {gravely).  I  have  had  the  same  feeling  sometimes,  Mr. 
Baxter.    I  am  not  always  the  staid  respectable  matron  which  I 

appear  to  you  to  be.    Sometimes  I {She  looks  absently  at  the 

watch  on  her  torist.)    Good  gracious  I 

Baxter  {alarmed).    What  is  it  1 

Belinda  {looking  anxiously  from  the  door  to  him).  Mr.  Baxter, 
I'm  going  to  throw  myself  on  your  mercy. 

Baxter.    My  dear  Mrs.  Tremayne 

Belinda  {loohirig  at  her  watch  again,  rising  and  moving  up  l.o., 
looking  at  door).  A  strange  man  will  be  here  directly.  He  must 
not  find  you  with  me. 

Baxter  {rising,  jealously).    A  man  ? 

Belinda  {excitedly).  Yes,  yes,  a  man  I  He  is  pursuing  me  with 
his  attentions.  If  he  found  you  here,  there  would  be  a  terribl* 
scene. 

Baxtbb.    I  vffl  defend  70a  from  him. 


Act  II.]  BELINDA.  S3 

Belinda  (crossing  down  to  r.  of  Chesterfield).  "No,  no.  He  ia  a 
big  man.  He  will — he  will  overpower  you.  (Moving  L.  a  little  and 
looking  out  of  windows.) 

Baxter.    But  you f 

Belinda,  I  can  defend  myself.  I  will  send  him  away.  But 
he  must  not  find  you  here.  You  must  hide  before  he  overpowers 
you. 

Baxter  (vntJi  dignity,  crossing  helow  tabU  to  B.).  I  will  withdraw 
if  you  wish  it. 

Belinda  (following  to  r.  at  hack  of  table  c).  No,  not  withdraw, 
hide.  He  miglit  see  you  withdrawing.  (Leading  the  way  to  the 
cupboard  door.)     Quick,  in  here. 

Baxter  (embarrassed  at  the  thought  that  this  sort  of  thing  really 
only  happens  in  a  bedroom  farce  and  moving  towards  her).  I  don't 
think  I  quite 

Belinda  (reassuring  him).  It's  perfectly  respectable ;  it's  where 
we  keep  the  umbrellas.     (She  takes  him  by  the  hand.) 

Baxter  (resisting  and  looking  nervously  into  the  cupboard).  Fm 
not  at  all  sure  that  I 

Belinda  (earnestly).  Oh,  but  don't  you  see  what  trust  I'm  putting 
in  you  ?  (To  herself.)  Some  people  are  so  nervous  about  their 
umbrellas. 

Baxter.  Well,  of  course,  if  you — but  I  don't  see  why  I  shouldn't 
just  slip  out  of  the  door  before  he  comes. 

Belinda  (reproachfully).     Of  course,  if  you  grudge  me  every  little 

pleasure (Crossing  in  front  of  Baxter  towards  swing  doors  and 

seeing  Tremayne  coming.)    Quick  1    Here  he  is. 

{STie  bundles  him  through  the  cupboard  door  and  closes  it  and  with  a 
sign  of  happiness  crosses  dovm  to  c.  table.  She  sees  Baxter's 
howler  hat  on  the  arm-chair  below  the  fireplace.  She  fetches  and 
carries  it  over  to  the  cupboard  door,  knocks  and  hands  it  to  him, 
saying,  "  Youx  hat !  ") 

Baxter  (expostulating  and  nearly  knocking  her  over  as  he  conies 
imt).    Well,  really  I 

Belinda  (bundling  him  into  the  cupboard  and  closing  the  door). 
Hush! 

(Belinda  straightens  her  hair,  takes  up  her  book  from  h.  ofo.  table  and 
sits,  stroking  the  head  of  the  toy  dog  and  pretending  to  read.  Tre- 
mayne enters  from  garden  up  R.  and  through  the  swing  doors  up 
E.G.    Belinda  gives  an  assumed  cry  of  surprise.) 

Tremayne  (at  the  swing  doors).  It's  no  good  your  pretending  to 
be  surprised,  because  you  said  I  could  come.  (Coming  down  to  the 
back  of  the  table  o.  and  putting  dovm  his  hat.) 

Belinda  (rising,  shaking  hands  and  welcoming  him).  But  I  can 
etill  be  surprised  that  you  wanted  to  come. 

Trsmaynb.    Oh  no»  70U  aren't. 

e 


M  BELINDA.  [Act  IL 

Belindi  (marHdrt^  it  off  on  her  fingers).  Just  a  little  bit — that 
much. 

Tremaynb.  It  would  be  much  more  surprising  if  I  hadn't 
come. 

Belinda  {crossing  to  the  Chesterfield,  picking  up  her  book  and 
handing  it  to  Tremayne,  who  puts  it  on  the  table).  It  is  a  pretty 
garden,  isn't  it  ?      {She  sits  on  r.  end  of  Chesterfield.) 

Tremaynb  {coming  to  her).  You  forget  that  I  saw  the  garden 
yesterday. 

Belinda.  Oh,  but  the  things  have  grown  so  much  since  then* 
Let  me  see,  this  is  the  third  day  you've  been  and  we  only  met  three 
days  ago.  {He  moves  behind  the  Chesterfield  to  the  left  end  of  it.) 
And  then  you're  coming  to  dinner  again  to-night. 

Tremayne  {eagerly  and  leaning  over  the  Chesterfield).    Am  I  f 

Belinda.    Yes.    Haven't  you  been  asked  ? 

Tremayne  {going  round  the  left  end  of  the  Chesterfield).  No,  not  a 
word. 

Belinda.  Yes,  that's  quite  right ;  I  remember  now,  I  only 
thought  of  it  this  morning,  so  I  couldn't  ask  you  before,  could  I  ! 

Tremayne  {earnestly).    What  made  you  think  of  it  then  I 

Belinda  {romantically).    It  was  at  the  butcher's. 

Tremayne.    Eh  1 

Belinda.  There  was  one  little  lamb  cutlet  left  over  and  sitting 
out  all  by  itself,  and  there  was  nobody  to  love  it.  And  I  said  to 
myself,  suddenly,  "  I  know,  that  will  do  for  Mr.  Robinson."  {PrO' 
$aicaUy.)    I  do  hope  you  like  lamb  } 

Tremayne  {sitting  on  her  left  side).    I  adore  it. 

Belinda.  Oh,  I'm  so  glad !  When  I  saw  it  sitting  there  I 
thought  you'd  love  it.  I'm  afraid  I  can't  tell  you  any  more  about 
the  rest  of  the  dinner,  because  I  wouldn't  teU  Mr.  Devenish,  and  I 
want  to  be  fair. 

Tremayne  {jealously).    Who's  Mr.  Devenish  ? 

Belinda.    Oh,  haven't  you  met  him  ?    He's  always  coming  here. 

Tremayne.    Is  he  in  love  with  you  too  ? 

Belinda.    Too  ?    Oh,  you  mean  Mr.  Baxter  ? 

Tremayne  {rising  and  moving  to  fireplace).  Confound  it,  that*8 
three ! 

Belinda  {innocently).  Three  ?  {She  looks  up  at  him  and  down 
vgain.) 

Tremayne.    Who  is  Mr.  Baxter  ? 

Belinda.  Oh,  haven't  you  met  him  ?  He's  always  coming 
here. 

Tremayne  {turning  away  and  looking  into  fireplace).  Who  ia 
Mi.  Baxter  ? 

(Baxter  appears  at  cupboard  doorway.  Belinda  hears  him  and 
gives  a  startled  look  round.  She  signs  to  him  to  go  back.  Baxtsb 
f9treat8  immediately  and  closes  door.) 


Acw  II.]  BELINDA.  85 

Belinda.  Oh,  he's  a  sort  of  statistician.  Isn't  that  a  horrid 
word  to  say  ?     So  stishany. 

Tremayne.     What  does  he  make  statistics  about  ? 

Belinda.  Oh  [giving  a  sly  look,  round  at  cupboard  door),  umbrellas 
and  things.     Don't  let's  talk  about  him. 

Tremayne.  All  right,  then  ;  {going  up  to  her  jealously)  who  u 
Mr.  Devenish  ? 

Belinda.  Oh,  he's  a  poet.  {She  throws  up  her  eyes  and  sight 
deeply.)    Ah  me  ! 

Tremayne.    What  does  he  write  poetry  about  ? 

(Belinda  looks  at  him,  and  down  again,  and  then  at  him  again,  and 
then  down,  then  raises  and  drops  her  arms,  and  gives  a  Utile  sigh — aU 
of  which  means,  "  Can't  you  guess  ?  ") 

What  does  he  write  poetry  about  ? 

Belinda  {obediently).  He  wrote  "  The  Lute  of  Love  and  other 
Poems,  by  Claude  Devenish." 

(Tremayne  is  annoyed  and  turns  away  to  the  fireplace.) 

The  Lute  of  Love {To  herself.)    I  haven't  been  saying  that 

lately.  (With  great  expression.)  The  Lute  of  Love — the  Lute. 
{She  pats  her  mouth  hack.) 

Tremayne.    And  who  is  Mr.  Devenish 1 

Belinda  {putting  her  hand  on  his  sleeve).  You'll  let  me  know 
when  it's  my  turn,  won't  you  ? 

Tremayne.    Your  turn  ? 

Belinda.  Yes,  to  ask  questions.  I  love  this  game — it's  just 
like  clumps.  {She  crosses  her  hands  on  her  lap  and  waits  for  the  next 
question.) 

Tremayne.  I  beg  your  pardon.  I — er — of  course  have  no  right 
to  cross-examine  you  like  this. 

Belinda,  Oh,  do  go  on,  I  love  it.  {With  childish  exdtemeni.) 
I've  got  my  question  ready. 

Tremayne  {smiling  and  going  and  sitting  beside  her  again).  I 
think  perhaps  it  is  your  turn. 

Belinda  {eagerly).  Is  it  really  ?  {He  nods.)  Well  then — {in  • 
loud  voice) — who  is  Mr.  Robinson  I 

Tremayne  {alarmed).    What  ? 

Belinda.  I  think  it's  a  fair  question.  I  met  you  three  days  ago 
and  you  told  me  you  were  staying  at  Maritou.  Mariton.  You  oui 
say  it  all  right  now,  can't  you  ? 

Tremayne.    I  think  so. 

Belinda  {coaxingly).    Just  say  it. 

Tremayne.    Mariton. 

Belinda  {clapping  her  hands).  Lovely !  I  don't  think  any  of  Hie 
villagers  do  it  as  well  as  that. 

Tremayne.    Well  ? 

Belinda  {looking  very  hard  at  Tremayne— A«  wonders  whether  «!• 


86  BELINDA.  [Act  II. 

has  discovered  his  identity).  Well,  that  was  tliree  days  ago.  You 
came  the  next  day  to  see  the  garden,  and  you  came  the  day  after  to 
see  the  garden,  and  you've  come  this  morning — to  see  the  garden ; 
and  you're  coming  to  dinner  to-night,  and  it's  so  lovely,  we  shall 
simply  have  to  go  into  the  garden  afterwards.  And  all  I  know  about 
you  is  that  you  haven't  any  relations  called  Robinson, 

Tremayne.  What  do  I  know  about  Mrs.  Tremayne  but  that  she 
has  a  relation  called  Robinson  ? 

Belinda.    And  two  dear  friends  called  Devenish  and  Baxter. 

Tremayne  {rising — annoyed).  I  was  forgetting  them.  {Crosses 
to  helow  L.  end  of  c.  table.) 

Belinda  {to  herself,  with  a  sly  look  round  at  the  cupboard).  I 
mustn't  forget  Mr.  Baxter. 

Tremayne.  But  what  does  it  matter  ?  What  would  it  matter 
if  I  knew  nothing  about  you  ?  {Moving  up  to  r.  end  of  Chesterfield 
and  leanitig  over  it.)  I  know  everything  about  you — everything 
that  matters. 

Belinda  {leaning  hack  and  closing  her  eyes  contentedly).  Tell  me 
some  of  them. 

Tremayne  (bending  over  her  earnestly).    Belinda 

Belinda  {sUll  vnth  her  eyes  shut).  He's  going  to  propose  to  me. 
I  can  feel  it  coming. 

TREMAYNfB  {starting  back).  Confound  it !  how  many  men  have 
proposed  to  you  ? 

Belinda  {surprised).    Since  when  ? 

Tremayne.    Since  your  first  husband  proposed  to  you. 

Belinda.  Oh,  I  thought  you  meant  this  year.  {Sitting  up.) 
Well  now,  let  me  see.  {Slowly  and  thoughtfully.)  One.  {She 
pushes  up  her  first  finger.)  Two.  {She  pushes  up  the  second.) 
Three.  {She  pushes  up  the  third  finger,  holds  it  there  for  a  moment 
and  then  pushes  it  gently  down  again.)  No,  I  don't  think  that  one 
ought  to  count  really.  {She  pushes  up  two  more  fingers  and  the 
thumb.)  Three,  four,  five — do  you  want  the  names  or  just  the 
totaU 

Tremayne  {numng  up  l.  and  then  over  r.).    This  is  horrible. 

Belinda  {innocently).  But  anybody  can  propose.  Now  if 
you'd  asked  how  many  I'd  accepted 

{Ee  turns  sharply  to  her — annoyed.} 
Let  me  see,  where  was  I  up  to  ? 

{He  moves  down  R.) 
I  Bhan*l  count  yours,  because  I  haven't  really  had  It  yet. 
(Betty  enters  down  r,  and  stands  behind  settee.) 

Six,  seven Yes,  Betty,  what  is  it  ? 

Betty.  If  you  please,  ma'am,  cook  would  like  to  speak  to  you 
foe  a  minatft, 


Aoa?  II.]  BELINDA.  87 

(Tremayne  goes  up  e.o.) 
Beijnda  {getting  up).    Yes,  I'll  come. 

(Betty  goes  out,  leaving  the  door  open.    Belinda  crosses  "below  the 

table.) 

(To  Tremayne.)  You'll  forgive  me,  won't  you  ?  You'll  find  some 
cigarettes  there.  {Points  to  table  up  R.  Tremayne  moves  by  the 
back  of  the  settee  and  holds  the  door  for  Belinda.  She  turns  to  him  in 
the  doorway.)  It's  probably  about  the  lamb  cutlets  ;  I  expect  your 
little  one  refuses  to  be  cooked. 

{She  goes  out  after  Betty.) 

{Left  alone  Tremayne  stalks  moodily  about  the  room-,  crossing  it  and 
kicking  things  which  come  in  his  way.  Violently,  he  kicks  a  hassock 
which  is  above  the  table  R.  to  under  the  table  c,  then  he  takes  up  his 
hat  and  moves  towards  the  swing  doors  and  half  opens  them.  He 
pauses  and  considers — then  he  comes  down  to  the  centre  table,  throws 
down  his  hat,  moves  round  the  left  end  of  the  table,  finds  the  dog 
in  the  way  and  then  sits  09i  the  table  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets, 
facing  the  audience.  As  he  has  been  moving  about  the  room,  he 
has  muttered  the  names  of  Baxter  ami  Devenish.) 

Devenish  {entering  from  the  door  r.,  which  he  closes  and  goes  to 
foot  of  the  settee  b. — surprised).    Hullo  !  » 

{A  pause.) 

Tremayne  (Jealously,  and  rising).    Are  you  Mr.  Devenish  t 

Devenish.    Yes. 

Tremayne.    Devenish  the  poet  % 

Devenish  {coming  up  and  shaking  him  wa/rmly  by  the  hand).  My 
dear  fellow,  you  know  my  work  ? 

Tremayne  {grimly).  My  dear  Mr.  Devenish,  your  name  is  most 
familiar  to  me. 

Devenish.  I  congratulate  you.  I  thought  your  great-grand- 
children would  be  the  first  to  hear  of  me. 

Tremayne  {moving  to  h.).    My  name's  Robinson,  by  the  way, 

Devenish  {connecting  him  with  Delia).  Then  let  me  return  tht 
compliment,  Robinson.    Your  name  is  familiar  to  me, 

Tremayne  {hastily,  and  going  towards  Dbyenish).  I  don't  think 
Fm  related  to  any  Robinsons  you  know. 

Devenish  {dubiously).  Well,  no,  I  suppose  not.  When  I  ww 
very  much  younger  I  began  a  collection  of  Robinsons.  Actually  it 
was  only  three  days  ago,  but  it  seems  much  longer.  {Thinking  9§ 
Delia.)    Many  things  have  happened  since  then. 

Tremayne  {umtiterested,  moving  l.)    Really  I 

Dbyenish.    There  is  a  man  called  Baxter — 

(Tbxmatnb  displays  his  jsalomy  of  Baxtiib.) 


'St  BELINDA.  [Aov  IL 

who  is  still  collecting,  I  believe.  For  myself,  I  am  only  interested  in 
one  of  the  great  family — Delia. 

Tremayne  {eagerly,  and  going  quickly  to  him  and  placing  his  hand 
•n  Devenish's  left  shoulder).    You  are  interested  in  her? 

Devenish.  Devotedly.  In  fact,  I  am  at  this  moment  waiting 
for  her  to  put  on  her  hat. 

Tremayne  {warmly,  banging  him  on  the  shoulder  with  both  hands). 
My  dear  Devenish,  I  am  delighted  to  make  your  acquaintance, 
{He  seizes  his  hand  and  grips  it  heartily.)    How  are  you  I 

(Devenish  hacks  to  the  settee  in  pain.) 

Devenish  {sitting  on  sdtee,  feeling  his  fingers).  Fairly  wdl, 
thanks. 

Tremayne  {sitting  above  him  and  hanging  him  on  the  hack).  That's 
right. 

Devenish  {still  nursing  his  hand).  You  are  a  very  lucky  fellow, 
Robinson. 

Tremayne.    In  what  way  ? 

Devenish.  People  you  meet  must  be  so  very  reluctant  to  say 
good-bye  to  you.  Have  you  ever  tried  strangling  lions  or  anything 
like  that  ? 

Tremayne  {vdth  a  laugh).    Well,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  I  have. 

Devenish.    I  suppose  you  won  all  right  ? 

Tremayne.    In  the  end,  with  the  help  of  my  beater. 

Devenish.  Personally  I  should  have  backed  you  alone  against 
any  two  ordinary  lions. 

Tremayne.  One  was  quite  enough.  As  it  was,  he  gave  me 
something  to  remember  him  by.  {PuJUng  up  his  left  sleeve,  he 
displays  a  deep  scar.) 

Devenish  {looking  at  it  casuaUy).  By  Jove,  that's  a  nasty  one  I 
{He  suddenly  catches  sight  of  the  mole  arid  stares  at  it  fascinated,  then 
tiores  up  at  Tremayne.)    Good  heavens  1 

Tremayne.    What's  the  matter  ? 

Dbvenish  {clasping  his  head).  Wait.  {Rising  and  m^mng  vp 
to  -L.  of  Tremayne.)  Let  me  think.  (After  a  pause.)  Have  joa 
0ver  met  a  man  called  Baxter  t 

Tbsmaynb.    No. 

Devenish.    Would  you  like  to  t 

Tsemaynb  {grimly).    Very  much  indeed. 

Dbvenish.  He's  the  man  I  told  you  about  who's  Interested  la 
Robins(M».  He'll  be  delighted  to  meet  you.  {With  a  nervout 
laugh.)  Funny  thing,  he's  rather  an  authority  on  lions.  You  must 
show  him  that  scar  of  yours ;  it  will  intrigue  him  immensely.  {Eam- 
«%.)  Don't  shake  hands  with  him  too  heartily  just  at  first ;  it 
might  put  him  off  the  whole  thing. 

Tskmayne.    This  Mr.  Baxter  seems  to  be  a  curious  man. 

Dxvenish  {ahsently).  Yes,  he  is  rather  odd.  {Looking  at  hft 
watcL)    I  wonder  if  1 — ^    {To  Tbbmaynb.)    I  suppose  you  won't 


Aov  n.]  BELINDA.  M 

bo  {He  stops  suddenly.    A  slight  tapping  noise  comes  fiom  tki 

room  where  they  keep  umhrellas.) 
Tremaynb.    What's  that  ? 

{The  tapping  noise  is  repeated,  a  little  more  loudly  thU  time, 
Devenish  moves  to  end  of  table.) 

Devenish.    Come  in. 

{The  door  opens  and  Baxter  comes  in  nervously,  holding  his  &otobr 
hat  in  his  hand.    He  moves  towards  the  swing  doors.) 

Baxter  {apologetically).    Oh,  I  just — (Tremaynb  stands  up) — ^I 

just {He  goes  hack  again.) 

Devenish  {springing  across  the  room).    Baxter ! 

{The  door  opens  nervously  again  and  Baxter's  head  appears  round  it.) 

Oome  in,  Baxter,  old  man  ;  you're  jiisfr  the  very  person  I  wanted. 

(Baxter  comes  in  carefully.    Devenish  closes  the  door.) 

Good  man.  {To  Tremayne,  taking  Baxter  doion  r.,  and  placing 
his  arm  round  his  shoulders.)  This  is  Mr.  Baxter  that  I  was  telling 
you  about. 

(Baxter  removes  Devenish's  arm  from  his  shoulders.) 

Tremayne  {moving  up  to  Baxter  and  much  relieved  at  the  appear- 
ance  of  his  rival).  Oh,  is  this  Mr.  Baxter  ?  {Holding  out  his  hand 
with  great  friendliness.)    How  are  you,  Mr.  Baxter  ? 

Devenish  {warningly).    Steady ! 

(Tremaynb  shakes  Baxter  quite  gently  by  the  hand.) 

Baxter,  this  is  Mr.  Robinson.  {Casunlly.)  R-o-b-i-n-s-o-n.  {He 
looks  sideways  at  Baxter  to  see  how  he  takes  it.  Baxter  is  noticeably 
impressed.) 

Baxter.    Really  ?    I  am  very  glad  to  meet  you,  sir. 

Tremaynb.    Very  good  of  you  to  say  so. 

Devenish  {to  Baxter,  taking  his  arm.  Baxter  is  annoyed  and 
gets  free).    Robinson  is  a  great  big-game  hunter. 

Baxter  {moving  down  to  Tremayne).  Indeed  ?  I  have  never 
done  anything  in  that  way  myself,  but  I'm  sure  it  must  be  an 
absorbing  pursuit. 

Tremayne.    Oh,  well,  it's  something  to  do. 

Devenish  {to  Baxter).  You  must  get  him  to  tell  you  about 
a  wrestle  he  had  with  a  lion  once.  Extraordinary  story  !  {Looking 
at  his  watch  suddenly.)  Jove !  I  must  be  ofi.  See  you  again, 
Baxter.  {He  hangs  Baxter  on  the  shoulder  and  moves  down  to 
Tremayne.)  Good-bye,  Robinson.  No,  don't  shake  hands.  I'm 
in  a  hurry.  {He  looks  at  his  watch  again  and  goes  out  hurriedly  by  th* 
door  on  the  b.) 


4t  BELINDA.  [Act  H. 

(TBBMAYira!  sits  OTi  Settee  b.  and  Baxter  on  chair  b.  of  a.  table.    Ht 
puts  his  hat  on  the  table.) 

Tbematne.  Unusual  man,  your  friend  Devenish.  I  suppose  it 
•omes  of  being  a  poet. 

Baxtbb.    I  have  no  great  liking  for  Mr.  Devenish—— 

Teemaynb.     Oh,  he's  all  right. 

Baxteb.  But  I  am  sure  that  if  he  is  impressed  by  anything 
outside  himself  or  his  own  works,  it  must  he  something  rather 
remarkable.    Pray  tell  me  of  your  adventure  with  the  lion. 

Tbbmayne  (laughing).  ReaUy,  you  mustn't  think  that  I  go  about 
telling  everybody  my  adventures.  It  just  happened  to  come  up. 
I'm  afraid  I  shook  his  hand  rather  more  warmly  than  I  meant,  and 
he  asked  me  if  I'd  ever  tried  strangling  lions.     That  was  alL 

Baxteb.    And  had  you  ? 

Tbemayne.    Well,  it  just  happened  that  I  had. 

Baxteb.    Indeed  !    You  came  off  scatheless,  I  trust  ? 

Teemaynb  {carelessly  indicating  his  arm).  Well,  he  got  me  one 
across  there. 

Baxteb  {rising  and  coming  to  above  Tbemayne,  obviously  excited). 
Eeally,  really.  {Points  to  his  arm.)  One  across  there.  Not  bad, 
I  hope  1 

Tbemayne  (laughing).  Well,  it  doesn't  show  imless  I  do  that. 
{He  pulls  up  his  sleeve  carelessly  and  Baxteb  bends  eagerly  over  his 
arm  and  sees  the  mole  and  very  slowly  looks  up  at  Tbemayne,  then  doion 
at  the  arm  again,  then  up  at  Tkemayne.) 

Baxter.  Good  heavens  1  I've  found  it !  {He  runs  over  to  the 
table  and  pic/cs  up  his  hat.) 

Teemaynb.    Found  what  ?    {He  pulls  doum  his  sleeve.) 

Baxteb  {going  up  l.).  I  must  see  Mrs.  Tremayne.  Where's 
Mrs.  Tremayne  ? 

Tbemayne.    She  went  out  just  now.    What's  the  matter  ? 

Baxteb.  Out !  I  must  find  her.  This  is  a  matter  of  life  and 
death.  {He  hurries  through  the  swing  doors.)  Mrs.  Tremayne  I 
Mrs.  Tremayne  1    {He  exits  b.  through  the  garden.) 

(Tbemayne  rises  and  moves  to  the  swing  doors,  stares  after  him  w 
amazement.  Then  he  pulls  up  his  sleeve,  looks  at  his  scar  agairt 
and  shakes  his  head.  While  he  is  still  puzzling  over  it,  Belinda 
comes  back  B.) 

Belinda  {crossing  below  settee).  Such  a  to-do  in  the  kitchen! 
The  cook's  given  notice — at  least  she  will  directly — {up  to  Tremayne) 
— ^and  your  lamb  cutlet  slipped  back  to  the  shop  when  nobody  was 
looking 

(Tbemayne  looks  off  at  swing  doors) 

and  IVe  got  to  go  into  the  village  again,  (going  to  the  refectory  table 
and  getting  her  hat)  and  oh  dear,  oh  dear,  I  have  such  a  lot  of  things 


Ac»  n.]  BELINDA.  41 

to  do  !  {Looking  across  at  Mr.  Baxter's  door.)  Oh  yes,  that's 
another  one.  {Coming  hack  to  table  c.  and  puttitig  down  her  hat  on  K. 
tide.) 

Tremayne.    Belinda {Moving  up  to  her.) 

Belinda.    No,  not  even  Belinda.    Wait  till  this  evening. 

Tremayne.  I  have  a  thousand  things  to  say  to  you  ;  I  shall  say 
them  this  evening. 

Belinda  {giving  him  her  hand).  Begin  about  eight  o'clock. 
Good-bye  till  then. 

{He  takes  her  hand,  looks  at  her  for  a  moment,  then  suddenly  hends  and 
kisses  it,  takes  up  his  hat  and  hurries  through  the  swing  doors  and 
off  through  the  garden  to  l.) 

(Belinda  stands  looking  from  her  hand  to  him,  gives  a  little  wondering 
exclamation  and  then  presses  the  hack  of  her  hand  against  her  cheek, 
and  goes  to  the  swing  doors.  She  turns  hack,  and  remembers  Mr. 
Baxter  again.     With  a  smile  she  goes  to  the  door  and  taps  gently.) 

Belinda.  Mr.  Baxter,  Mr.  Baxter,  you  may  come  in  now  ;  he 
has  withdrawn.  {Moves  down  a  little  and  then  hack  to  l.  of  the  door 
again.)  Mr.  Baxter,  I  have  unhanded  him.  {She  opens  the  door 
and  going  in,  finds  the  room  empty.)    Oh  ! 

(Baxter  comes  quickly  through  the  swing  doors.) 

Baxter  {meeting  Belinda  coming  out  of  the  cupboard).  Ah, 
{they  both  start)  there  you  are  !  {Grossing  down  to  r.  end  of  c.  table, 
he  puts  down  his  hat.) 

Belinda  {turning  with  a  start).  Oh,  how  you  frightened  me,  Mr. 
Baxter  !  I  couldn't  think  what  had  happened  to  you.  {She  doses 
the  door.)  I  thought  perhaps  you'd  been  eaten  up  by  one  of  the 
umbrellas. 

Baxter.  Mrs.  Tremayne,  I  have  some  wonderful  news  for  you. 
I  have  found  Miss  Kobinson's  father. 

Belinda  {(m  his  l.,  hardly  understanding).  Miss  Bobisson'a 
father  ? 

Baxter.    Yes.    Mr.  Robinson. 

Belinda.  Oh,  you  mean {Points  to  directum  uihere  Tre- 
mayne has  gone.)  Oh  yes,  he  told  me  his  name  was  Robinson— 
Oh,  but  he's  no  relation. 

Baxter.  Wait  1  I  saw  his  arm.  By  a  subterfuge  I  managed 
to  see  his  arm. 

Belinda  {her  eyes  opening  more  and  more  widely  as  she  begins  to 
realize).    You  saw 

Baxter.    I  saw  the  mole. 

Belinda  {coming  down  to  him  faintly  as  she  holds  otU  her  oum  ami). 
Show  me. 

Baztbb  (very  deoorously  indicating).    There  1 


4t  BELINDA.  [Act  IL 

(Belinda  holds  the  place  with  her  other  hand,  and  stiU  looking  at 
Mr.  Baxter,  sloioly  begins  to  laugh — half-laughter,  half-tears, 
wmderingly,  happily,  contentedly.) 

Belinda  {moving  to  r.  of  table  and  sitting).    And  I  didn't  know  I 

Baxter  {moving  to  back  of  table).  Mrs.  Tremayne,  I  am  delighted 
to  have  done  this  service  for  your  niece 

Belinda  {to  herself).    Of  course,  he  knew  all  the  time. 

Baxter  {to  the  world).  Still  more  am  I  delighted  to  have  gained 
the  victory  over  Mr.  Devenish  in  this  enterprise. 

Belinda.    Eighteen  years — but  I  ought  to  have  known. 

Baxter  {at  large).  I  shall  not  be  accused  of  exaggerating  when  I 
■ay  that  the  odds  against  such  an  enterprise  were  enormous. 

Belinda.    Eighteen  years And  now  I've  eight  whole  hour§ 

to  wait  I 

Baxter  {triumphantly).    It  will  be  announced  to-night.    "  Mr. 

Devenish,"   I  shall  say,   "  young  fellow "    {He  arranges  his 

speech  in  his  mind.) 

Belinda  {nodding  to  hersdf  mischievously).  So  I  was  right,  after 
all !  {Slowly  and  triumphantly.)  He  does  look  better  without  a 
beard  I 

Baxter  (ivith  his  hand  on  the  back  of  the  chair  on  the  l.  side  of  the 
table).  '  r.  Devenish,  young  fellow,  when  you  matched  yourself 
against  a  man  of  my  repute,  when  you  matched  yourself  against  a 
man — matched  yourself  against  a  man  of  my  repute  {crossing 
towards  fireplace) 

(BsuNDA  rises  stealthily,  takes  up  her  hat  and  exits  through  the  swing 
doors  and  through  the  garden  up  r.) 

when  yon  matched  yourself  against  a  man  who  has  read  papers 
{■moving  towards  centre  table)  at  Soirees  of  the  Eoyal  Statistical 

Society "  {Looking  round  the  room,  he  discovers  that  he  is  alone.    He 

picks  wp  his  hat  from  the  table  and  jams  it  down  on  his  head.)    Unusual  I 

iUe  moves  up  towards  the  swing  doorsJ^ 


ACT  in 

it  is  after  dinner  tn  Belinda's  hall.  TJie  log  fire,  chandelier  and 
wall  brackets  are  all  alight.  Belinda  is  lying  on  the  Chesterfield 
with  a  coffee-cup  in  her  hand.  Delia,  in  the  cliair  down  l.  helow  the 
fireplace,  has  picked  up  "  The  Lute  of  Love  "  from  a  table  and  it 
reading  it  impatiently.    She  also  has  a  coffee-cup  in  her  hand. 

Delia  {throwing  the  book  away).    What  rubbish  he  writes  I 
Belinda  [coming  back  from  her  thoughts).    Who,  dear  I 
Delia.    Claude 

(Belinda  gives  her  a  quick  look  of  surprise.) 

—Mr.  Devenish.  {She  rises  and  stands  by  the  fireplace  mth  her  cup 
in  her  hand.)    Of  course,  he's  very  young. 

Belinda.    So  was  Keats,  darling. 

Delia.  I  don't  think  Claude  has  had  Keats'  advantages.  Keats 
■tarted  life  as  an  apothecary. 

Belinda.    So  much  nicer  than  a  chemist. 

Delia.    Now,  Claude  started  with  nothing  to  do. 

Belinda  {mildly).  Do  you  always  call  him  Claude,  darling  ?  I 
hope  you  aren't  going  to  grow  into  a  flirt  like  that  horrid  Mrs. 
Tremayne. 

Delia.  Silly  mother!  {STie  moves  to  Belinda,  takes  her  cup, 
(hen  crosses  to  the  table  and  places  both  the  cups  on  the  table — seriously.) 
I  don't  think  he'll  ever  be  any  good  till  he  really  gets  work.  Did 
you  notice  his  hair  this  evening  ? 

Belinda  {dreamily).    Whose,  dear  ? 

Delia  {going  to  the  back  of  the  Chesterfield  and  to  the  l.  0/ Belinda). 
Mummy,  look  me  in  the  eye  and  tell  me  you  are  not  being  bad. 

Belinda  {having  playfully  turned  her  head  away  and  hidden  her 
face  with  her  handkerchief,  says  innocently).    Bad,  darling  ? 

Delia  {moving  down  to  the  front  of  the  fireplace).  You've  made 
Mr.  Robinson  fall  in  love  with  you. 

Belinda  {happily).    Have  I  ? 

Delia.    Yes  ;  it's  serious  this  time.    He's  not  like  the  other  two. 

Belinda.    However  did  you  know  that  ? 

Delia.    Oh,  I  know. 

Belinda.  Darling,  I  believe  you've  grown  up.  It's  quite  time 
I  settled  down. 


44  BELINDA.  (Act  IIL 

Delia.    With  Mr.  Robinson  1 
(Beunda  sits  up  and  looks  tlwughtfuUy  at  Delta  for  a  little  time.) 

Belinda  (mysteriously).  Delia,  are  you  prepared  for  a  great 
Beoret  to  be  revealed  to  you  ? 

i-'iiLiA  {childishly  and  jumping  on  to  the  L.  arm  of  the  Chesterfidd 
facing  Belinda).    Oh,  I  love  secrets. 

Belinda  (reproachfully).  Darling,  you  mustn't  take  it  like  that. 
This  is  a  great,  deep,  dark  secret ;  you'll  probably  need  your  sal 
Tolatile. 

Deli4  (excitedly).    Go  on  ! 

Belinda.    Well (Looking  round  the  room.)    Shall  we  have 

the  lights  down  a  little  ? 

Delia.    Go  on,  mummy. 

Belinda.  Well,  Mr.  Robinson  is — (impressively) — is  not  quite  the 
Robinson  he  appears  to  be. 

Delia.    Yes  ? 

Belinda.    In  fact,  child,  he  is Darling,  hadn't  you  better 

come  and  hold  your  mother's  hand  ? 

Delia  (struggling  with  some  emotion  and  pUicing  her  hand  on 
Belinda's  arm,  who  playfully  smacks  it).     Go  on. 

Belinda.  Well,  Mr.  Robinson  is  a — sort  of  relation  of  yours ; 
in  fact — (playing  with  her  rings  and  looking  down  coyly) — he  is  your — 
father.    (She  looks  up  at  Delia  to  see  how  the  news  is  being  received.) 

(Delia  gives  a  happy  laugh.) 

Dear  one,  this  is  not  a  matter  for  mirth. 

Delia.  Darling,  it  is  lovely,  isn't  it  ?  (Sliding  down  to  the  seat 
of  the  Chesterfield  next  to  Belinda,  who  moves  along  to  muke  room  for 
her.)     I  am  laughing  because  J.  am  so  happy. 

Belinda.     Aren't  you  surprised  ? 

Delia.    No.    You  see,  Claude  told  me  this  morning. 

(Belinda  displays  annoyance.) 

He  found  out  just  before  Mr.  Baxter. 

Belinda.    Well !    Every  one  seems  to  have  known  except  me. 

Delia.  Didn't  you  see  how  friendly  father  and  I  got  at  dinner  t 
I  thought  I'd  better  start  breaking  the  ice — because  I  suppose  he'll 
be  kissing  me  directly. 

Belinda.    Say  you  like  him. 

Delia.  I  think  he's  going  to  be  awfully  nice.  (She  kisses  Belinda 
and  rises.)    Does  he  know  you  know  1 

Belinda.    Not  yet. 

Delia.     Oh  I     (Sh^  moves  to  the  fireplace  and  warms  her  hands.) 

Belinda.  Just  at  present  I've  rather  got  Mr.  Baxter  on  i.j 
mind.  I  suppose,  darling,  you  wouldn't  like  him  as  well  as  Mr. 
Devenish !  (Pathetically.)  You  see,  they're  so  used  to  going  aboul 
togethac 


Aot  III.]  BELINDA-  '  45 

Delia.    Claude  is  quite  enough. 

Belinda.  I  thiak  I  must  see  Mr.  Baxter  and  get  it  over.  Do  you 
mind  if  I  have  Mr.  Devenish  too  1  I  feel  more  at  home  wit),  both 
of  thorn.  I'll  give  you  him  back.  Oh  dear,  I  feel  so  happy  to-night ! 
{Shs  jumps  up  and  goes  to  Delia.)  And  is  my  little  girl  going  to  be 
happy  too  1  That's  what  mothers  always  say  on  the  stage.  I 
think  it's  so  sweet. 

(TJiey  move  together  to  helow  table.) 

Delia  (smiling  at  her).  Yes,  I  think  so,  mummy.  Of  course,  I'm 
not  romantic  like  you.     I  expect  I'm  more  like  father,  really. 

Belinda  (dreamily).  Jack  can  be  romantic  now.  He  was  telling 
me  this  morning  all  about  the  people  he  has  proposed  to.  I  mean,  I 
was  telling  him.  Anyhow,  he  wasn't  a  bit  like  a  father.  Of  course, 
he  doesn't  know  he  is  a  father  yet.  Darling,  I  think  you  might  take 
him  into  the  garden  ;  only  don't  let  Lim  know  who  he  is.  You  see, 
he  ought  to  propose  to  me  first,  oughtn't  he  ? 

{The  men  come  in  from  r.  Tremayne  goes  to  the  foot  of  the  settee  r., 
Devenish  to  the  hack  of  the  table  up  r.,  while  Baxter  stands  at  the 
hack  of  the  settee.  Belinda  moves  to  the  front  of  the  settee  and  Delia 
sits  on  the  table.) 

Here  you  all  are !  I  do  hope  you  haven't  been  throwing  away  your 
cigars,  because  smoking  is  allowed  all  over  the  house. 

Tremayne  (as  he  comes  to  the  foot  of  the  settee).  Oh,  we've  finished, 
thank  you. 

Belinda  (going  up  to  the  swing  doors  and  opening  them).  Isn't  it  a 
wonderful  night  ? — and  so  warm  for  April.  Delia,  you  must  show 
Mr.  Eobinson  the  garden  by  moonlight — it's  the  only  light  he  hasn't 
seen  it  by. 

Devenish  (quickly  coming  to  r.  back  of  table  c).  I  don't  think 
Fve  ever  seen  it  by  moonlight.  Miss  Delia, 

Belinda  (coming  down  a  little).  I  thought  poets  were  always 
seeing  things  by  moonlight. 

Baxter  (moving  toward  Belinda).  I  was  hoping,  Mrs.  Tremayne, 
that — er — ^perhaps 

Delia  (moving  quickly  to  above  Tremayne  and  taking  his  l.  hind, 
and  pulling  him  up  stage  to  sunng  doors).  Come  along,  Mr. 
Robinson. 

(Tremayne  looks  at  Belinda,  who  gives  him  a  nod.    Belinda  then 
moves  down  R.) 

Tremayne  (l.  of  Delta).  It's  very  kind  of  you,  Miss  Robinson. 
I  suppose  there  is  no  chance  of  a  nightingale  ? 

Belinda.  There  ought  to  be.  I  ordered  one  specially  for  Mr. 
Devenish. 


4«  BELINDA.  [Aov  III. 

(Delia  and  Tebmaynb  go  out  together.  BELnnjA,  ttnth  a  sigh,  moves 
over  to  the  CJiesterfield  and  settles  herself  comfortably  into  it.  Deven- 
ISH,  annoyed  by  Tbemaynb's  attentions  to  Delia,  crosses  up  angrily 
and  looks  off  through  the  window  up  L.  above  fi/replace,  then  comes 
doion  L.  of  the  Chesterfield  to  the  front  of  the  fireplace.  Baxter  moves 
up  to  the  swing  doors  angrily  watching  Delia  and  Teemayne,  then 
moves  to  the  unndow  b.  and  looks  off.  Betty  then  erUers  with  a 
salver  from  b.  She  moves  hy  the  hack  of  the  settee  to  the  back  of  the 
table  o.,  picks  up  the  coffee-cups  and  goes  out  r.  Baxter  then 
moves  over  to  the  window  facing  the  audience  up  u.  He  looks  off, 
then  comes  dovm  to  the  r.  of  Belinda.) 

Now  we're  together  again.    Well,  Mr.  Devenish  f 

Devenish.    Er — ^I 

Belinda.  No  ;  I  think  I'll  let  Mr.  Baxter  speak  first.  I  know 
he's  longing  to. 

Baxter  (leaning  on  the  back  of  the  chair  l.  of  table — he  clears  his 
throat).    H'r'm  I    Mrs.  Tremayne,  I  beg  formally  to  claim  your  hand. 

Belinda  {sweetly).    On  what  grounds,  Mr.  Baxter  ? 

Devenish  (spiritedly).    Yes,  sir,  on  what  grounds  ? 

Baxter  (coming  to  B.  of  Chesterfield,  close  to  Belinda).  On  the 
groimds  that,  as  I  told  you  this  morning,  I  had  succeeded  in  the 
quest. 

Devenish  (appearing  to  be  greatly  surprised).    Succeeded  ? 

Baxter.  Yes,  Mr.  Devenish,  young  fellow,  you  have  lost.  (He 
moves  a  few  paces  r.  to  below  the  chair  l.  of  the  table.)  I  have  discovered 
the  missing  Mr.  Robinson. 

Devenish  {wiping  his  brow  and  coming  to  Baxter).  Who^ 
where 

Baxter  (dramatically).  Miss  Robinson  has  at  this  moment  gone 
out  with  her  father. 

Devenish  (placing  his  hands  heavily  on  Baxter's  shoulders,  who 
staggers).    Good  heavens  I    It  was  he  ! 

(Baxter  pats  Devenish  sympathetically  and  moves  to  the  back  of  tht 
Chesterfield  and  ic'  about  to  speak  to  Belinda.  She,  however, 
silences  him  and  he  drops  down  to  the  front  of  the  fireplace.) 

Belinda  (sympathetically).    Poor  Mr.  Devenish  ! 

Devenish  (pointing  tragically  to  the  table).  And  to  think  that  I 
actually  sat  on  that  table — no,  that  seat  (he  points  to  the  settee  r., 
then  he  moves  up  stage  between  it  and  the  table) — that  I  sat  there  with 
him  this  morning,  and  never  guessed  I  Why,  ten  minutes  ago  I 
was  asking  him  for  the  nuts  1 

Baxter.  Aha,  Devenish,  you're  not  so  clever  as  you  thought  you 
were. 

Devenish  (coming  quickly  to  the  back  of  the  chair  l.  of  the  table). 
Why,  I  must  have  given  you  the  clue  myself  !    He  told  me  he  had  a 


Aov  m.]  BELINDA*  49 

scar  on  his  arm,  and  I  never  thought  any  more  of  it.    And  then  I 
went  away  innocently  and  left  you  two  talking  about  it. 

Belinda  (alarmed).    A  scar  on  his  arm  I 

Deveiosh.    Where  a  lion  mauled  him. 

(Belinda  gives  a  litUe  cry  and  shudder.) 

Baxtbb.    It's  quite  healed  up  now,  Mrs.  Tremayne. 

Belinda  {loohing  at  him  admiringly).  A  lion  1  What  you  two 
have  adventured  for  my  sake  ! 

Baxter.  I  suppose  you  will  admit,  Devenish,  that  I  may  fairly 
elaim  to  have  won  ! 

{Looking  the  'picture  of  despair,  Devenish  drops  dovm  l.  of  the  chairs 
droops  his  head,  raises  his  arms  arid  lets  them  fall  hopelessly  to  hia 
tides.) 

Belinda.  Mr.  Devenish,  I  have  never  admired  you  so  much  as  I 
do  at  this  moment.  (She  extends  her  r.  hand  to  Devenish,  vho 
gropes  for  it  vnth  his  l.  hand  and  eventually  manages  to  seize  it.) 

Baxter  {noticing  he  is  holding  her  hand,  moving  to  them  tind 
looking  at  them  quizzically — indignantly  to  Devenish).  I  say,  you 
know,  that's  not  fair.  It's  all  very  well  to  take  your  defeat  like  a 
man,  but  you  mustn't  overdo  it.  {TJiey  release  their  hands.)  Mrs. 
Tremayne,  I  claim  the  reward  which  I  have  earned. 

Belinda  {after  a  pause  and  rising).  Mr.  Baxter — ^Mr.  Devenish, 
I  have  something  to  tell  you. 

(Devenish  moves  to  her  b.) 

(Belinda  hieels  upon  the  Chesterfield  facing  them.    Penitently.)    I 
have  not  been  quite  frank  with  you.    I  think  you  both  ought  to 
know  that — I — I  made  a  mistake.    Delia  is  not  my  niece ;  she  is 
my  daughter.     {She  buries  her  face  in  her  hands.) 
Devenish.    Your  daughter  I    I  say,  how  ripping  1 

(Belinda  gives  him  an  understanding  look.) 

Baxteb.    Your  daughter  I 

Belinda.    Yes. 

Baxteb.  But — but  you  aren't  old  enough  to  have  ft  daughter 
«f  that  age. 

Belinda  {apologetically).    Well,  there  she  is. 

Baxter.    But — but  she's  grown  up. 

Belinda.    Quite. 

Baxter.    Then  in  that  case  you  must  be {He  hesttattt, 

mndently  working  it  out.) 

Belinda  {hastily).    I'm  afraid  so,  Mr.  Baxter. 

Baxter.  But  this  makes  a  great  difference.  I  had  no  idea. 
Why,  when  I'm  fifty  you  would  be 

Belinda  (sighing).    Yes,  I  suppose  I  should. 


4t  BELINDA*  fAoT  m. 

Baxteib.    And  when  I*m  sixty 

Belinda  {pleadingly  to  Devbnish).    Can't  you  stop  him  ! 

Devenish  {mth  a  threatening  gesture).  Look  here,  Baxter, 
another  word  from  you  and  you'll  never  get  to  sixty. 

Baxter.  And  then  there's  Miss — er — Delia.  In  the  event  of  our 
marrying,  Mrs.  Tremayne,  she,  I  take  it,  would  be  my  step-daughter. 

Belinda.  I  don't  think  she  would  trouble  us  much,  Mr.  Baxter. 
{With  a  sly  look  at  Devenish.)  I  have  an  idea  that  she  will  be 
getting  married  before  long.  {She  again  glances  at  Devenish,  who 
returns  her  look  gratefully.) 

Baxter  {moving  up  l.  into  the  inner  room).  None  the  less,  the  fact 
would  be  disturbing. 

(Devenish  tvith  a  mnk  at  Belinda  crosses  in  front  of  her  and  warms 
his  hands  at  the  fire.  Belinda  watches  Baxter  over  tlie  hack  of 
the  Chesterfield.) 

I  have  never  yet  considered  myself  seriously  as  a  step-father.  {Mov- 
ing round  the  refectory  table.)  I  don't  think  I  am  going  too  far  if  I 
say  that  to  some  extent  I  have  been  deceived  in  this  matter.  {He 
comes  dovm  to  behind  the  c.  table.) 

Belinda  {reproachfully).  And  so  have  I.  I  thought  you  loved 
me. 

Devenish  {sympathetically).    Yes,  yes. 

Belinda  {turning  to  him  suddenly).    And  Mr.  Devenish  too. 

Baxter  {moving  to  Belinda).    Er 

Devenish.    Er 

{They  stand  before  Tier  guiltily  and  have  nothing  to  say.) 

Belinda  {with  a  shrug).  Well,  I  shall  have  to  marry  somebody 
•Ise,  that's  all. 

Baxter  {moving  to  below  table).    Who  ?    Who  ? 

Belinda.  I  suppose  Mr.  Robinson.  After  all,  if  I  am  Delia's 
mother,  and  Mr.  Baxter  says  that  Mr.  Robinson's  her  father,  it's 
about  time  we  loere  married. 

Devenish  {eagerly).  Mrs.  Tremayne,  what  fools  we  are  1  He  ii 
jour  husband  all  the  time ! 

Belinda.    Yes. 

Baxter  {moving  up  to  the  b.  of  Belinda).  YonVe  had  a  husband 
•11  the  time  ? 

Belinda  {apologetically).    I  lost  him  ;  it  wasn't  my  fault. 

Baxter.  Really,  this  is  very  confusing.  I  don't  know  where  I 
am.  I  gather — I  am  to  gather,  it  seems,  that  you  are  no  longer 
eligible  as  a  possible  wife  ? 

Belinda.    I  am  afraid  not,  Mr.  Baxter. 

Baxter.  But  this  is  very  confusing — {moving  towards  the  swing 
ioora) — ^this  is  very  disturbing  to  a  man  of  my  age.  For  weeks  past 
I  have  been  regarding  myself  as  a — a  possible  benedict.  I  have— 
All — taken  steps.    {Back  to  the  h.  end  of  the  o.  table.)    Only  thif 


Act  III.]  BELINDA.  49 

morning,  in  writing  to  my  housekeeper,  I  warned  her  that  she  might 
hear  at  any  moment  a  most  startling  announcement. 

Devenish  {cheerfully).  Ox,  that's  all  right.  That  might  only 
mean  that  you  were  getting  a  new  bowler-hat. 

Baxteb  {dropping  dcvm  L.o.  a  few  steps — suddenly).  Ah,  and 
what  about  you,  sir  ?  How  is  it  that  you  take  this  so  lightly  ? 
{Triumphantly.)  I  have  it.  It  all  becomes  clear  to  me.  You  have 
transferred  youi  afEections  to  her  daughter  ! 

Devenish.    Oh,  I  say,  Baxter,  this  is  very  crude. 

Belinda.  And  why  should  he  not,  Mr.  Baxter  ?  {Softly.)  He 
has  made  me  very  happy. 

Baxter  {staggered).    He  has  made  you  happy,  Mrs.  Tremayne  ? 

Belinda.    Very  happy. 

Baxter  {thoughtfully).  Oh !  Oh  ho !  Oh  ho  I  {He  takes  a 
turn  up  the  room  into  the  inner  room,  muttering  to  himself.  Belinda 
ktieels  and  watches  him  over  the  back  of  the  Chesterfield.  TJien  he 
comes  down  again  to  her  R.  side.)  Mrs.  Tremayne,  I  have  taken  a 
great  resolve.  {Solemnly.)  I  also  will  make  you  happy.  {Thump- 
ing his  heart.)    I  also  will  woo  Miss  DeUa. 

Belinda.    Oh  I 

Devenish.    Look  here,  Baxter 

Baxter  {suddenly  crossing  and  seizing  Devenish's  arm  and 
pulling  him  towards  the  sioing  doors  up  R.  between  the  Chesterfield  and 
the  table).    Come,  we  will  seek  Miss  Delia  together. 

(Belinda  seizes  Devenish's  hand  as  he  is  passing  and  he,  clinging  to 
it,  nearly  pulls  her  off  the  Chesterfield.    She  is  very  amused.) 

It  may  be  that  she  will  send  us  upon  another  quest  in  which  I  shall 
again  be  victorious. 

(Beunda  releases  her  hand  and  slips  down  into  the  Chesterfield. 
Tempestuously.) 

Come,   I   say {He  marches  the    resisting  Devenish    to    the 

awing  doors.)     Let  us  put  it  to  the  touch,  to  win  or  lose  it  all. 

Devenish  {turning  and  appealing  to  Belinda).    Please  I 

Belinda  {ge7itly).    Mr.  Baxter  .  .  .  Harold. 

(Baxter  stops  and  turns  round.) 

You  are  too  impetuous.    I  think  that  as  Delia's  mother — — 
Baxter  {coming  down  r.  to  the  foot  of  the  c.  table).    Your  pardon, 

Mrs.  Tremayne.     In  the  intoxication  of  the  moment  I  am  forgetting. 

{Formally.)    I  have  the  honour  to  ask  your  permission  to  pay  my 

addresses {Moves  to  chair  l.  of  table.) 

Belinda.    No,  no,  I  didn't  mean  that.    But,  as  Delia's  mother, 

I  ought  to  warn  you  that  she  is  hardly  fitted  to  take  the  place  of  your 

housekeeper.     She  is  not  very  domesticated. 

Baxter   {indignantly).    Not  domesticated  ?    {Sits  L.  of  table.  ] 


e»  BELINDA.  [Act  III. 

Why,  did  I  not  hear  her  tell  her  father  at  dinner  that  she  had  arranged 
all  the  flowers  ? 

Beunda.     There  are  other  things  than  flowers. 

Devenish  (on  Baxter's  r.,  behind  the  table).  Bed-socks,  foi 
instance,  Baxter. 

(Baxter  is  annoyed.) 

It's  a  very  tricky  thing  airing  bed-socks.  I  am  sure  your  house- 
keeper  

Baxter  {silencing  Devenish).  Mrs.  Tremayne,  she  will  learn. 
The  daughter  of  such  a  mother  ...  I  need  say  no  more. 

Belinda.  Oh,  thank  you.  But  there  is  something  else,  Mr. 
Baxter.  You  are  not  being  quite  fair  to  yourself.  In  starting  out 
upon  this  simultaneous  wooing,  you  forget  that  Mr.  Devenish  has 
already  had  his  turn — 

(Devenish  tries  to  stop  Tier.    Baxter  turns  round  and  nearly  catches 

him.) 

—this  morning  alone.    You  should  have  yours  .  .  .  alone  .  .  •  too. 

Devenish.    Oh,  I  say  1 

Baxter.  Yes,  yes,  you  are  right.  I  must  introduce  myself  first 
as  a  suitor.    I  see  that.     {Rising,  to  Devenish.)     You  stay  here ; 

I  will  go  alone  into  the  garden,  and {Moving  below  table  and  up 

to  the  swing  doors.) 

Belinda.  It  is  perhaps  a  little  cold  out  of  doors  for  people  of 
...  of  our  age,  Mr.  Baxter.    Now,  in  the  library 

Baxter  {at  the  swing  doors,  turning  to  her,  astonished).    Library  f 

Belinda.    Yes. 

Baxter  {moving  down  r.  a  little).    You  have  a  library  ? 

Belinda  (to  Devenish).    He  doesn't  believe  I  have  a  library. 

Devenish.    You  ought  to  see  the  library,  Baxter. 

Baxter  {moving  more  down  to  below  r.  of  table).  But  you  ars 
continually  springing  surprises  on  me  this  evening,  Mrs.  Tremayne. 
First  a  daughter,  then  a  husband,  and  then — a  library  1  I  have  been 
here  three  weeks,  and  I  never  knew  you  had  a  library.  Dear  me,  I 
wonder  how  it  is  that  I  never  saw  it  ? 

Belinda  {modestly,  rising).    I  thought  you  came  to  see  me. 

Baxter.  Yes,  yes,  to  see  you,  certainly.  But  if  I  had  known 
you  had  a  library  .  .  . 

Belinda.  Oh,  I  am  so  glad  I  mentioned  it.  Wasn't  it  lucl^, 
Mr.  Devenish  ? 

Baxter.    My  work  has  been  greatly  handicapped  of  late. 

(Delia  and  Tremayne  enter  the  garden  from  up  h.  nmd  pass  (ha 
window  at  the  ba4ik.) 

Belinda  {sweetly).    By  me  ? 

Baxter.    I  was  about  to  say  by  lack  of  certain  books  to  which  I 


Ac*  nL]  BELINDA.  81 

wanted  to  refer.    It  would  be  a  great  help.    {Be  moves  up  b., 
reflectively  muttering  "  Library.") 

Belinda  (moving  below  and  to  r.  ofo.  table).  My  dear  Mr.  Baxter, 
my  whole  library  is  at  your  disposal.  {She  turns  to  Devenish,  who 
is  on  her  l.,  and  at  the  back  of  the  table.  She  speaks  in  a  confidential 
whisper.)  I'm  just  going  to  show  him  the  Encyclofcedia  Britan- 
nica.  {She  moves  below  the  settee  to  the  door  R.)  You  won't  mind 
waiting — Delia  will  be  in  directly. 

(Baxter,  still  muttering  "  Library,"  crosses  to  the  door  and  opens  it 
for  her.  She  goes  out  and  he  follows  her.  Devekish  moves  to  the 
E.  ofth^  svnng  doors  and  welcomes  Delia  and  Tbemayne.  Tremayne 
enters  from  the  portico  and  holds  open  the  swing  doors  for  Delia.) 

Delia  {speaking  from  the  portico).    Hullo,  we're  just  coming  in. 

{They  enter  and  Delia  nvoves  dotm  s.  of  the  table.) 

Tremayne.    Where's  Mrs.  Tremayne  ! 

Devenish  {moving  to  down  r.).  She's  gone  to  the  library  with 
Baxter. 

Tremayne  {coming  down  on  Delia's  r.  side — carelessly).  Oh,  the 
library.    Where's  that  ? 

Devenish  {promptly  going  towards  the  door,  opening  it  and  standing 
tibove  it).    The  end  door  on  the  right. 

(Delia  sits  on  the  b.  end  of  the  table  facing  r.) 

Bight  at  the  end.    You  can't  mistake  it.     On  the  right. 

Tremayne.  Ah,  yes.  {He  looks  round  at  Delia,  who  points 
iignificanily  at  the  door  twice.)  Yes.  {He  looks  at  Devenish.)  Yes. 
(He  goes  out.) 

(Devenish  hastily  shuts  the  door  and  comes  back  to  Delia.) 

Devenish.    I  say,  your  mother  is  a  ripper. 

Delia  {erUhusiastically).  Isn't  she  ?  {Remembering.)  At  least, 
you  mean  my  aunt  ? 

Devenish  {smiling  <A  her).  No,  I  mean  your  mother.  To  think 
that  I  once  had  the  cheek  to  propose  to  her. 

Delia.    Oh  I    Is  it  cheek  to  propose  to  people  t 

Devenish.    To  her. 

Delia.    But  not  to  me  f 

Devenish.    Oh  I  say,  Delia! 

Delia  {with  great  dignity).  Thank  you,  my  name  is  Miss  Robinson 
•—I  mean,  Tremayne. 

Devenish.  Well,  if  you're  not  quite  sure  which  it  is,  it's  much 
■afer  to  call  you  Delia. 

Dblia  {sm^ng).    Well,  perhaps  it  is. 
I    DxYSNiSH.    Aiid  if  I  did  propose  to  yon,  you  haven't  answered 


fSV  BELINDA.  {Aas  ITL 

Delia  (sitting  in  the  chair  b.  of  the  table).  If  yon  want  an  answef 
now,  it's  no ;   but  if  you  like  to  wait  till  next  April 

Dbvenish  {moving  up  to  behind  table — reproachfully).  Oh,  I  say, 
and  I  cut  my  hair  for  you  the  same  afternoon.  {Twning  quickly.) 
You  haven't  really  told  me  how  you  like  it  yet. 

Delia.    Oh,  how  bad  of  me  I    You  look  lovely. 

Devenish  {sitting  at  back  of  the  table).  And  I  promised  to  give 
up  poetry  for  your  sake. 

Delia.    Perhaps  I  oughtn't  to  have  asked  you  that. 

Devenish.  As  far  as  I'm  concerned,  Delia,  I'll  do  it  gladly,  but, 
of  course,  one  has  to  think  about  posterity. 

Delia.  But  you  needn't  be  a  poet.  You  could  give  posterity 
plenty  to  think  about  if  you  were  a  statesman. 

Devenish.    I  don't  quite  see  your  objection  to  poetry. 

Delia.  You  would  be  about  the  house  so  much.  I  want  you  to 
go  away  every  day  and  do  great  things,  and  then  come  home  in  the 
evening  and  tell  me  all  about  it. 

Devenish.    Then  you  are  thinking  of  marrying  me  I 

Delia.    Well,  I  was  just  thinking  in  case  I  had  to. 

Devenish  {he  rises  and  taking  her  hands,  raises  her  from  the  chair. 
She  backs  a  step  to  r.).  Do.  It  would  be  rather  fun  if  you  did.  And 
look  here — {he  pulls  her  gently  back.  They  both  sit  on  the  table. 
He  places  his  arm  round  her  waist) — ^I  will  be  a  statesman,  if  you 
like,  and  go  up  to  Downing  Street  every  day,  and  come  back  in  the 
evening  and  tell  you  all  about  it. 

Delia.    How  nice  of  you ! 

Devenish  {magnificently^  holding  up  his  &.  hand  to  Heaven), 
Farewell,  Parnassus  1 

Delia  {pulling  down  his  hand).    What  does  that  mean  ? 

Devenish.  Well,  it  means  that  I've  chucked  poetry.  A  states- 
man's life  is  the  life  for  me  ;  behold  Mr.  Devenish,  the  new  M.P. — 
(she  holds  up  her  l.  hand  admonishingly  and  he  laughs  apologetically) 
— ^no,  look  here,  that  was  quite  accidental. 

Delia  {smiling  at  him).  I  believe  I  shall  really  like  you  when  I 
get  to  know  you. 

k Devenish.    I  don't  know  if  it's  you,  or  Devonshire,  or  the  fact 
at  I've  had  my  hair  cut,  but  I  feel  quite  a  different  being  from 
what  I  was  three  days  ago. 

Delia.  You  are  different.  {They  both  rise  from  the  table.  8ht 
jniUs  him  to  b.  one  step.)  Perhaps  it's  your  sense  of  humoui  coining 
back. 

Devenish.    Perhaps  that's  it.    It's  a  curious  feeling. 

Deua  {pulling  him  towards  the  swing  doors).  Let's  go  outside; 
there's  a  heavenly  moon. 

Devenish.    Moon  1    Moon  t    Now  where  have  I  heaid  thai 
word  before  t 
t    Delia.    What  do  70a  mean  f 

DxYunusB.    I  was  trying  not  to  be  a  poel. 


Aow  m.]  BELINDA.  08 

(Delia  opens  the  doors.) 

Well,  I'll  come  with  you,  but  I  shall  refuse  to  look  at  it.  {Putting 
his  L.  hand  behind  his  hack,  he  walks  slowly  out  with  her,  saying  to 
himself)  The  Prime  Minister  then  left  the  House. 

{They  cross  the  windows  at  the  hack  and  go  off  l.) 

(Belinda  and  Tbemayne  come  from  the  library,  the  latter  holding 
the  door  for  her  to  pass.) 

Belinda  {moving  helow  the  settee  across  the  room).  Thank  you.  I 
don't  think  it's  unkind  to  leave  him,  do  you  ?  He  seemed  quite 
happy. 

Tbemayne  {following  her).  I  shouldn't  have  been  happy  if  we'd 
stayed. 

Belinda  {reaching  the  Chesterfield  she  puis  her  feet  up.  Her  head 
is  towards  l.).    Yes,  but  I  was  really  thinking  of  Mr.  Baxter. 

Tbemayne  {above  table  o.).    Not  of  me  ? 

Belinda.  Well,  I  thought  it  was  Mr.  Baxter's  turn.  Poor  man, 
he's  had  a  disappointment  lately. 

Tbemayne  {coming  to  u.  of  the  Chesterfield — eagerly).  A  disap- 
pointment ? 

Belinda.    Yes,  he  thought  I  was — ^younger  than  I  was. 

Tbemayne  {smiling  to  himself).    How  old  are  you,  Belinda  ? 

Belinda  {dropping  her  eyes).  Twenty- two.  {After  a  pause.) 
He  thought  I  was  eighteen.     Such  a  disappointment ! 

Tbemayne  {smiling  openly  at  her).    Belinda,  how  old  are  you  ? 

Belinda.    Just  about  the  right  age,  Mr.  Robinson. 

Tbemayne.    The  right  age  for  what  ? 

Belinda.    For  this  sort  of  conversation. 

Tbemayne.    Shall  I  tell  you  how  old  you  are  ? 

Belinda.    Do  you  mean  in  figures  or — poetically  f 

Tbemayne.    I  meant 

Belinda.  Mr.  Devenish  said  I  was  as  old  as  the — now,  I  must 
get  this  the  right  way  round — as  old  as  the 

Tbemayne.    I  don't  want  to  talk  about  Mr.  Devenish. 

Belinda  {with  a  sigh).  Nobody  ever  does — except  Mr.  Devenish. 
As  old  as  the  stars,  and  as  young  as  the  dawn.  {Settling  herself 
cosily.)  I  think  that's  rather  a  nice  age  to  be,  don't  you  ? 

Tbemayne.    A  very  nice  age  to  be. 

Belinda.  It's  a  pity  he's  thrown  me  over  for  Delia ;  I  shall 
miss  that  sort  of  thing  rather.  You  don't  say  those  sort  of  thin^ 
about  your  aunt-in-law — not  so  often. 

Tbemayne  {eagerly).    He  really  is  in  love  with  Miss  Eobinson  ? 

Belinda.  Oh  yes.  I  expect  he  is  out  in  the  moonlight  with  her 
now,  comparing  her  to  Diana. 

Tbemayne.  Well,  that  accounts  for  him.  Now  what  about 
Baxter! 


04  BELINDA.  (Act  IIL 

Belinda.  I  thought  I  told  you.  Deeply  disappointed  to  find 
that  I  was  four  years  older  than  he  expected,  Mr.  Baxter  hurried 
from  the  drawing-room  and  buried  himself  in  a  column  of  the 
EncychpoBdia  Britannica. 

Tr£MAYNS.  Well,  that  settles  Baxter.  Are  there  any  more  men 
in  the  neighbourhood  ? 

Belinda  {shaking  her  head).  Isn't  15  awful  1  I've  only  had  those 
two  for  the  last  three  weeks. 

(Tbkhaynb  sits  on  the  back  of  the  Ghesterfeld  and  looks  dovm  at  her.) 

Tremayne.    Belinda. 

Belinda.    Yes,  Heiuy  ? 

Tbematne.    My  name  is  John. 

Belinda.  Well,  you  never  told  me.  I  had  to  guess.  Everybody 
thinks  they  can  call  me  Belinda  without  giving  me  the  least  idea 
what  their  own  names  are.    You  were  saying,  John  I 

Tremayne.    My  friends  call  me  Jack. 

Belinda.  Jack  Robinson.  That's  the  man  who  always  goes 
away  so  quickly.     I  hope  you're  making  more  of  a  stay  ? 

Tremayne  {seizing  her  by  both  arms).  Oh,  you  maddening, 
maddening  woman ! 

Belinda.  Well,  I  have  to  keep  the  conversation  going.  You  do 
nothing  but  say  "  Belinda." 

Tremayne  {taking  her  hand).  Have  you  ever  loved  anybody 
seriously,  Belinda  ? 

Belinda.    I  don't  ever  do  anything  very  seriously.    The  late  Mr. 

Tremayne,  my  first  husband — Jack Isn't  it  funny,  his  name 

was  Jack — he  used  to  complain  about  it  too  sometimes. 

Tremayne  {mth  conviction).    Silly  ass ! 

Belinda.  Ah,  I  think  you  are  a  little  hard  on  the  late  Mr. 
Tremayne. 

Tremayne.  Belinda,  I  want  you  to  marry  me  and  forget  about 
him. 

Belinda  {happily  to  herself  and  lying  back).  This  is  the  proposal 
that  those  lamb  cutlets  interrupted  this  morning. 

Tremayne.    Belinda,  I  love  you — do  you  understand  ? 

Belinda.  Suppose  my  first  husband  turns  up  suddenly  like — ^like 
B.  A.? 

Tremayne.    Like  who  f 

Belinda.    Well,  like  anybody. 

Tremayne.  He  won't — I  know  he  won't.  Don't  you  love  me 
enough  to  risk  it,  Belinda  ? 

Belinda.    I  haven't  really  said  I  love  you  at  all  yet. 

Tremayne.    Well,  say  it  now. 

(Belinda  looks  at  him,  and  then  dovm  again.) 

You  do  I    Well,  I'm  going  to  have  a  kiss,  anyway,    {He  kisses  hat 
quicldy — move*  toL.  of  Chesterfield .)     There  I 


Aot  m.]  BELINDA.  65 

Beunda  (rising).  0-oh  1  The  late  Mr.  Tremayne  never  did 
that.     {She  powders  her  nose.) 

Tremayne.  I  have  already  told  you  that  he  was  a  silly  ass. 
{He  makes  a  move  as  if  to  kiss  her  again.) 

Belinda  {holding  up  her  hand  and  sitting  on  the  r.  side  of  the 
Chesterfield).    I  shall  scream  for  Mr.  Baxter. 

Tremayne  {sitting  down  on  the  Chesterfield,  on  her  l.  aide.) 
Belinda 

Belinda.    Yes,  Henry — I  mean,  Jack  ? 

Tremayne.  Do  you  know  who  I  am  1  {He  is  thoroughly  enjoying 
the  surprise  he  is  about  to  give  her.) 

Belinda  {nodding).    Yes,  Jack. 

Tremayne.    Who  ? 

Belinda.    Jack  Tremayne. 

Tremayne  {jumping  up).    Good  heavens,  you  know  f 

Belinda  {gently).    Yes,  Jack. 

Tremayne  {angrily).  You've  known  all  the  time  that  I  was  your 
husband,  and  you've  been  playing  with  me  and  leading  me  on  I 

Belinda  {mildly).  Well,  darling,  you  knew  all  the  time  that  I 
was  your  wife,  and  you've  been  making  love  to  me  and  leading  me 
on. 

Tremayne.    That's  different. 

Belinda  {to  herself).  That's  just  what  the  late  Mr.  Tremayne 
Baid,  and  then  he  slammed  the  door  and  went  straight  off  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  and  shot  bears ;  and  I  didn't  see  him  again  for 
eighteen  years. 

Tremayne  {remorsefully).  Darling,  I  was  a  fool  then,  and  I'm  a 
fool  now. 

Belinda.  I  was  a  fool  then,  but  I'm  not  such  a  fool  now — I'm 
not  going  to  let  you  go.     It's  quite  time  I  married  and  settled  down. 

Tremayne.  You  darling  1  {He  kisses  her.)  How  did  you  find 
out  who  I  was  ? 

Belinda  {awkwardly).  Well,  it  was  rather  curious,  darling. 
{After  a  pau^e.)  It  was  April,  and  I  felt  all  sort  of  Aprily,  and — 
and — ^there  was  the  garden  all  full  of  daffodils — and — ^and  there 
was  Mr.  Baxter — the  one  we  left  in  the  library — knowing  all  about 
moles.  He's  probably  got  the  M.  volume  down  now.  Well,  we 
were  talking  about  them  one  day,  and  I  happened  to  say  that  the 
late  Mr.  Tremajme — that  was  you,  darling — had  rather  a  peculiar 
one  on  his  arm.  And  then  he  happened  to  see  it  this  morning  and 
told  me  about  it. 

Tremayi^.    What  an  extraordinary  story ! 

Belinda.  Yes,  darling ;  it's  really  much  more  extraordinary 
than  that.  I  think  perhaps  I'd  better  tell  you  the  rest  of  it  another 
time.  {Coaxingly.)  Now  show  me  where  the  nasty  lion  scratched 
yon. 

(TRSHATmi  puTh  up  his  sleeve.) 


58  BELINDA.  [Act  IIL 

Oh  f  {She  hisses  his  arm.)  Tou  shouldn't  have  left  Chelsea, 
darling. 

Trbmaynb.    I  should  never  have  found  you  if  I  hadn't. 

Belinda  {squeezing  his  arm).  No,  Jack,  you  wouldn't.  {After  a 
pause.)  I — I've  got  another  little  surprise  for  you  if — if  you're 
ready  for  it.  {Standing  up  and  moving  to  the  chair  L.  of  the  table.) 
Properly  speaking,  I  ought  to  be  wearing  white.  I  shall  certainly 
stand  up  while  I'm  telling  you.  {Modestly.)  Darling,  we  have  a 
daughter — our  little  Delia.     {He  is  standing  in  front  of  the  fireplace.) 

Tbemaynb.    Delia  ?    You  said  her  name  was  Robinson. 

Belinda.  Yes,  darling,  but  you  said  yours  was.  One  always 
takes  one's  father's  name.  Unless,  of  course,  you  were  Lord  Robin- 
son. 

Tbbmaynb.    But  you  said  her  name  was  Robinson  before  you— 

{She  makes  a  playful  moue.) 

— Oh,  never  mind  about  that.  A  daughter  I  Belinda,  how  could 
you  let  me  go  and  not  tell  me  f 

Belinda.  You  forget  how  you'd  slammed  the  door.  It  isn't 
the  sort  of  thing  you  shout  through  the  window  to  a  man  on  his  way 
to  America. 

Tbematne  {taking  her  tn  his  amu).  Oh,  Belinda,  don't  let  me 
ever  go  away  again. 

(DsvsNiSH  and  Delia  ertterfrom  up  l.  and  pass  the  windows  on  ths 
way  to  the  swing  doors.) 

Belinda.  I'm  not  going  to.  Jack.  I'm  going  to  settle  down  into 
a  staid  old  married  woman. 

Tremayne.  Oh  no,  you're  not.  You're  going  on  just  as  you  did 
before.  wAnd  I'm  going  to  propose  to  you  every  April,  and  win  you, 
wet  all  the  other  men  in  love  with  you. 

Belinda.    You  darling  I    {They  embrace.) 

(Delia  and  Devenish  come  in  from  the  garden.) 

Tremayne  {quietly  to  Belinda).    Our  daughter. 
Delia  {going  up  to  Tremayne).    You're  my  father. 
Tremayne.    If  you  don't  mind  very  much,  Delia. 
Delia.    You've  been  away  a  long  time. 
Tremayne.    I'll  do  my  best  to  make  up  for  it. 
Belii  ^a.    Delia,  darling,  I  think  you  might  kiss  your  poor  old 
father. 

{As  she  does  so,  Devenish  suddenly  and  hastUy  kisses  Belinda  on 

the  cheek.) 

Devenish.    Just  in  case  you're  going  to  be  my  mother-in-law. 
Tremayne.    We  seem  to  be  rather  a  family  party. 
Belinda  {suddenly).    There  1    {Moving  to  the  door  k)    WeVt 
forgotten  Mr.  Baxter  again. 


Aoa  m.]  BELINDA.  87 

Baxter  (who  has  come  in  quietly  with  a  hooJ:  in  hts  hani).  Oh, 
don't  mind  about  me,  Mrs.  Tremayne,  I've  enjoyed  myself  im- 
mensely. {He  crosses  to  the  arm-chair  below  the  fireplace  and  places  it 
in  front  of  the  fire.) 

(Belinda  and  Tremayne  move  up  into  the  inner  room  by  the  refectory 
table  and  embrace,  their  backs  to  Baxter.  Delia  and  Devenish 
are  by  the  swing  doors.     They  also  embrace,  their  backs  to  Baxter.) 

(Referring  to  his  book.)  I  have  been  collecting  some  most  valuable 
information  on  (looking  round  at  them  and  sitting  in  the  arm-chair  and 
continuing  to  read)  lunacy  in  the — er — county  ol  Devonshire, 


(The  Curtain /an«J^ 


ARE  YOU  A  MASON? 

Tarce  in  3  acts.  By  Leo  Ditrichstein.  7  males,  7  fo» 
males.    Modem  costumes.    Plays  2^/4  hours.    1  interior. 

"Are  You  a  Mason  t"  is  one  of  those  delightful  farces  like 
"Charley's  Aunt"  that  are  always  fresh.  "A  mother  and  a 
daughter,"  says  the  critic  of  the  New  York  Herald,  "had  hus- 
bands who  account  for  absences  from  the  joint  household  on 
frequent  evenings,  falsely  pretending  to  be  Masons.  The  men 
do  not  know  each  other's  duplicity,  and  each  tells  his  wife  of 
having  advanced  to  leadership  in  his  lodge.  The  older  woman 
vr&B  BO  well  pleased  with  her  husband's  supposed  distinction  in 
the  order  that  she  made  him  promise  to  put  up  the  name  of  • 
visiting  friend  for  membership.  Further  perplexity  over  the 
principal  liar  arose  when  a  suitor  for  his  second  daughter's  hand 
proved  to  be  a  real  Mason.  ...  To  tell  the  story  of  the  play 
'would  require  volumes,  its  complications  are  so  numerous.  It  is 
a  house  of  cards.  One  card  wrongly  placed  and  the  whole  thing 
would  collapse.  But  it  stands,  an  example  of  remarkable  in- 
genuity. You  wonder  at  the  end  of  the  first  act  how  the  fun 
can  be  kept  up  on  such  a  slender  foundation.  But  it  continues 
and  grows  to  the  last  curtain."  One  of  the  most  hilariously 
amusing  farces  ever  written,  especially  suited  to  schools  and 
Uaionio  Lodges,    (Royalty,  twenty-five  dollars.)      Price,  75  Oenta^ 


KEMPY 

K  delightful  comedy  in  3  acts.  By  J.  0.  Nugent  and 
Elliott  Nugent.  4  males,  4  females.  1  interior  throughout. 
Costiunes,  modern.    Plays  2^  hours. 

No  wonder  "Kempy"  has  l)een  such  a  tremendoas  hit  in  New 
^ork,  Chicago — ^wherever  it  has  played.  It  snaps  with  wit  and 
humor  of  the  most  delightful  kind.  It's  electric.  It's  small- 
town folk  perfectly  pictured.  Full  of  types  of  varied  sorts,  each 
one  done  to  a  turn  and  served  with  zestful  sauce.  An  ideal 
entertainment  for  amusement  purposes.  The  story  is  about  a  high- 
falutin'  daughter  who  in  a  fit  of  pique  marries  the  young  plumber- 
architect,  who  comes  to  fix  the  water  pipes,  just  because  he 
"understands"  her,  having  read  her  book  and  having  sworn  to 
marry  the  authoress.  But  in  that  story  lies  all  the  humor  that 
kept  the  audience  laughing  every  second  of  every  act.  Of  course 
there  are  lots  of  ramifications,  each  of  which  bears  its  own  brand 
cf  laughter-making  potentials.  But  the  plot  and  the  story  are 
not  the  main  things.  There  is,  for  instance,  the  work  of  the 
company.  The  fun  growing  out  of  this  family  mizup  is  lively  and 
clean.     (Royalty,  twenty-five  dollars.)  Price,  75  Centa. 

_  SAMUEL  FRENCH,  25  West  45th  Street,  New  York  City 
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AUVUIJ7SWU 

Edward    Paulton 
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A.  E.  W.  Mason 
H.  A.  DuSoucbct 


'aoon    nenry    meais^ 
John  B.  Stapleton 
Frederick  Lonadals 
Bryon   Ongley 
Rex  Beach 
Paul   Armttrong 

French's  International  Copyrighted  Edition  contains  playa, 
comedies  and  farces  of  international  reputation;  also  recent 
professional  successes  by  famous  American  and  English 
Authors.  Our  new  descriptive  catalogue  sent  free  on  request. 


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